“As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
“At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me … They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:15-19
The Apostle Paul begins his letter to his dear friends in the Philippian church with heartfelt thanks:
“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.”
– Philippians 1:3-5
Paul writes this letter from house arrest in Rome – far from the Philippian church in modern-day northern Greece. So how does the church partner with Paul? By sending financial support to take care of him!
The Philippians do more than support Paul; they also help those in need. The church in Jerusalem had experienced a famine and churches around the Mediterranean contributed finances to help out their “mother” church. The Philippians and other churches from the Macedonian area of Greece “begged (Paul and his companions) again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem” (2 Corinthians 8:4).
These churches were extremely poor, according to Paul, and yet they financially supported both his Gospel ministry and the needy in Jerusalem. Paul also instructed his followers in Corinth (see 2 Corinthians 9) and his disciple Timothy (1 Timothy 5:17-18) that those involved in church must provide income for their spiritual leaders – just as the nation of Israel financially supported their priests.
There’s no doubt that God expects us to wisely and generously steward our prayers, time, talents, and treasures. In fact, God bestows all that we are and all that we own – and we are tasked with investing His wealth well! It’s also clear from these passages that first-century believers financially supported their local church, other believers in need, and missionaries.
It’s not an easy thing to do, is it? Even when we know our financial investments help spread the Gospel. But there’s a clue from the Macedonian churches that may help us. Paul says that “they (were) also filled with abundant joy, which … overflowed in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2b).
These churches were filled with joy because they knew their Savior – they knew that “while (they) were still sinners, Christ died for (them)” (Romans 5:8b, NIV). Jesus himself overflowed in rich generosity to these churches – and to us – when He gave all of Himself for our good and His Father’s glory. If Jesus gave all, we can certainly give some!
Dear Lord: Thank you for overflowing in rich generosity for us when you died on the Cross. Help us know how we, in turn, can generously invest in the church, the needy, and missionaries. Amen.
Lorraine Potter Kalal
President and CEO