S168P5 – Fragrant offerings: a crumb and a cloak
Phi. 4:16-20
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul received gifts from the Church in Philippi while he was jailed. The conditions under which he was imprisoned likely included his having to provide his own meals and clothing. Of course, those who spend the majority of their hours chained in a cell cannot provide for themselves. For some, they could have relied on family members close in proximity to bring them what they needed. For others like Paul, that was not an option. His provision came not from any genetic family but from his spiritual family. Yet, we cannot really say that he depended on them for his needs to be met. There is another party to these transactions, and He has a role on both sides of it.
Paul really was relying on God to provide his needs. He would not have offered up his prayers and petitions to his brothers and sisters but to the Lord. He put that need in God’s hands, and then God decided how He would meet it. Our heavenly Father could have made food, clothing or anything else simply appear before Paul. Instead, He decided to prompt the Church to help their shepherd. Then, the Church had a decision to make. She chose to respond to God’s call in obedience and send these gifts to Paul. I am sure that the Lord would have pleased himself by providing Paul’s needs directly, but He chose to include the Church for her benefit. It was her blessing to let God provide through her.
I do not see one transaction here but two. The provision Paul received from his Philippian brethren was from God. It was an answer to his need. The gift that those brothers and sisters gave to Paul was actually given to the Lord. This was their sacrifice not to Paul but to God, and that is why He enjoyed that fragrant aroma. The smallest loaf of bread or a single cup of water given to one in need might very well be a pleasing gift to God. If we give these out as if we are offering them to the Lord, then He will receive them as such. Father, teach us to give generously to the saints who are in need and remind us that in doing so we are offering to You a pleasing sacrifice.