A FRAGRANT OFFERING

Philippians 4:10-23        

Saturday, 18 May 2024

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, ….the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. - Philippians 4:18 [NIV]

The Philippian Church overflowed in the grace of giving! Paul had such joy in writing to them and thanking them for their generosity towards him and the work of the Lord. Paul alludes the gifts they sent him to a fragrant offering, a sacrifice God accepted as pleasing to Him.

Paul mentions the several times the Philippian church (unlike other churches), extended help, even without asking. The example of this church can help us cultivate the Christian grace of giving and understand how it is a sacrifice pleasing to God.

It involves:

·         Giving ourselves to the Lord first: Before we engage in active giving, we should make sure we have given our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ; otherwise, our giving just becomes a charitable deed. When Paul commends the generosity of the Macedonian churches, he said, “—They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.” (2Cor.8:5). Many think of giving as a good deed- yes, but it remains a charity unless one has given himself/herself first to the Lord to live pleasing to Him. Romans 12;1&2 reminds us of offering ourselves as living sacrifice to God that we learn to do His good and acceptable will. Then our “giving-offering” will be a fragrant and acceptable sacrifice to God.

·         Giving to the work of the Lord: Paul mentions in V.15 of our text today how the Philippian church contributed at the beginning of his gospel ministry. He then mentions their support during his work in Thessalonica (V.16). Our timely contributions to God’s work helps the expansion of His Kingdom. Sometimes it involves meeting the physical needs of the brethren in the mission fields that pertains to their wellbeing.

·         Giving to meet another’s need: Meeting the needs of our brothers and sisters is born out of an earnest concern for them. Paul observes the Philippians’ concern for him that results in their sending him help when required (V.10). We can be so wrapped up in our small lives that we become blind to the struggles of our fellow brethren. It calls for sensitive hearts to see the needs of the members of the family of God and respond in tangible ways. Apostle James writes of the outworking of our faith in matching deeds—‘Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?’ (James 2:15-16). Hence meeting the physical necessities of our distressed brethren may sometimes be equally required as meeting their spiritual needs.

·         Giving that brings God’s blessing: The willingness to give on the part of the Philippian church was a doorway to God’s blessing. Not only was Paul blessed with their generosity but they were in turn positioned for God’s bountiful blessing of meeting their every need as Paul expressed in V.19:  “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” What a promise! How can God fill our hands unless we open them as channels to give to others? Jesus spoke these words: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Brothers and sisters, Jesus gave His everything for you and me- to become His own. His laid-down life became a fragrant offering that redeemed a sinner like you and me. Is it too much to ask that each of us first give our lives to His lordship and then practice the grace of giving in our capacity, expressing our deep gratitude to Him?

Think on: “…for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2Cor.9:7)

Listen: 'Give to the Lord'