Title: Fragrant Sacrifice
Content Lee gives an offering every Sunday. Today is the Thanksgiving Day, and we offer a special thanksgiving offering. First of all, I would like to thank the saints for their donations. Paul, who was imprisoned in a Roman prison, received a gift (missionary fee) from the Philippian church through Epaphroditus. Paul speaks of gratitude for gifts and the reasons for them. Through this text, I hope that you will have a correct understanding of our offering and give it.
1. My offering is to participate in my gospel ministry (verse 15).
After receiving the gift, Paul rejoices greatly in the Lord. Paul did not rejoice in the gift itself. Paul explains why in verses 12-14. He did not rejoice in the gift itself, because he was content in any circumstance. Paul says that the Philippians are very happy to be re-participating in the ministry of the gospel. In verse 15, 'giving and receiving' is the terminology of commerce, 'work' means a business transaction, and 'give' and 'receive' also mean the sending and receiving of money. Therefore, to ‘participate’ means to participate as a partner. The saints in Philippi and Paul are partners in the work of the advancement of the gospel. As a business partner, the Philippian believers participated in the gospel ministry, their own work.
Brothers and sisters, donation is a direct participation in our gospel ministry. As a business partner in the gospel ministry, I hope that you will donate with a sense of ownership of the church. Not only do you donate as a business partner, but as the owner, you need to check whether the donations are being used correctly for the gospel ministry.
2. Our offering is an offering to God (verse 18).
Paul uses ceremonial language to emphasize that the gifts of the saints in Philippi are the most noble in the sight of God. An offering is a sacrifice offered to God. This was Paul's joy. Offerings to God are 1) fragrant offerings. 2) It is a sacrifice acceptable to God. 3) It is a sacrifice that pleases God.
Brothers and sisters, when you give an offering, the Old Testament people should offer it with the heart of sacrifice. God is looking at the heart of the person offering the sacrifice rather than the sacrifice itself.
3. These offerings bring us abundant blessings (verses 17; 19).
Paul is confident that God will repay the Philippian church members.
1) God allows us to multiply fruit that is beneficial to us (verse 17).
Jesus commanded, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).
2) God supplies all our needs in Christ Jesus (verse 19)
Jesus commanded, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).