The Goodness of Giving
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
Philippians 4:14–17
When Paul was inspired to write his letter to the church at Philippi, he was in a jail cell in Rome. One of the primary reasons Paul wrote them was to thank them for supporting his work financially. Today we take for granted the ease of sending money quickly across the country or even around the world. But in Bible times, the roughly eight hundred miles between Philippi and Rome represented a long, difficult, and even dangerous trip. To be involved in Paul’s ministry, the Philippians not only gave—they made a serious effort to ensure that Paul received their gifts.
The topic of giving can be sensitive to people, but it should not be when we properly realize that everything we have belongs to God. When we cling to our resources, refusing to support the work of the Lord, we are missing out on so many good things. We miss the blessings of being part of reaching people with the gospel. We miss the opportunity to be part of a fruitful work, and forfeit the eternal credit that would accrue to us from giving.
God does not need our financial help to do His work. The investments we can make are insignificant compared to His infinite wealth, and He is not dependent on them. But God knows that we need to give, and so He commands and invites us to be part of the ministry of the gospel. We should not view giving as an obligation, but rather as an opportunity to take part in things that are eternal.
Philippians 4:14–17
When Paul was inspired to write his letter to the church at Philippi, he was in a jail cell in Rome. One of the primary reasons Paul wrote them was to thank them for supporting his work financially. Today we take for granted the ease of sending money quickly across the country or even around the world. But in Bible times, the roughly eight hundred miles between Philippi and Rome represented a long, difficult, and even dangerous trip. To be involved in Paul’s ministry, the Philippians not only gave—they made a serious effort to ensure that Paul received their gifts.
The topic of giving can be sensitive to people, but it should not be when we properly realize that everything we have belongs to God. When we cling to our resources, refusing to support the work of the Lord, we are missing out on so many good things. We miss the blessings of being part of reaching people with the gospel. We miss the opportunity to be part of a fruitful work, and forfeit the eternal credit that would accrue to us from giving.
God does not need our financial help to do His work. The investments we can make are insignificant compared to His infinite wealth, and He is not dependent on them. But God knows that we need to give, and so He commands and invites us to be part of the ministry of the gospel. We should not view giving as an obligation, but rather as an opportunity to take part in things that are eternal.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The financial investments we make in God’s work are an indication of our heart toward Him.
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