Philippians 4:10-23
Saturday, 25 June 2022
“But I rejoiced again in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again …” Philippians 4:10
One principal thing that every believer must remember is that, men and women who are serving God in mission fields may be spiritually strong, but they too have needs just like us: physical, emotional and material needs. Very often unknowingly the church focuses so much on the work done by them and that it forgets to replenish and rejuvenate these tired workers of God’s Kingdom. May God enable us to understand how we can support and encourage God’s workers in His vineyard as we read Paul’s words in today’s Scripture.
Paul highlights two areas where he was greatly blessed by the Philippian Church.
They shared in his distress (Vs 14)
The apostle Paul was willing to face every kind of sufferings for the extension of God’s Kingdom. We read a list of trials and tribulations he faced in 2 Cor 11: 24-27. The Philippian Church understood his need and send Epaphroditus to minister to his needs. In Philippians 2:25 Paul describe him as:
A brother – someone with whom he could share his life with
A fellow-worker –someone who understood and accepted Paul’s mission
A fellow-soldier- someone who worked, toiled and suffered along with him for the same cause
This support lightened Paul’s burdens as he faced the colossal task of reaching Europe for Christ.
The question we need to ask ourselves today is ‘Am I an Epaphroditus?’ Can I be a source of encouragement to at least to one of God’s servants tirelessly working in the mission field? Or else, Can I get out of my comfort zone and be a support for some-time to a missionary in the field? Even as we hear the many situations the missionaries are facing today, may we rise up to become people who would seek the needs and interest of theirs. May we become the messengers of hope and comfort to our fellow labourers in the Lord’s Vineyard.
They shared their finances (Vs 15[NLT])
Here was a church not only responding to the physical and emotional needs of Paul, but rose up to be the only one to share in his financial needs too.
Today the needs of the church are many. We as fellow-workers are called to give generously toward the extension and building of God’s Kingdom. How can you bless a need in God’s missions today?
In Exodus 35: 4-9 we hear a call given out to the Israelites by Moses to bring an offering for the work of the tabernacle. The two qualities that stood out in the people who gave to the Lord were:
A stirred up heart 2. A willing heart (Exodus 35: 21)
These were the same qualities the Philippian church possessed and the same that God would love to see in each of us. You might not have a lot to give, the widow only had 2 copper coins. But how you give to God is more important than what you give. 2 Cor. 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
The Philippian church through their giving refreshed Paul. How do we respond to this call?
Quote for The Day: “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” ~John Wesley
Listen: 'Thank You for giving to the Lord'
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