Missions partnership
Scripture reading for September 5: Philippians 4
“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 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.” Philippians 4:14-19
Paul ended his letter to the church a Philippi by thanking them for their partnership with him in his calling of sharing the Gospel to the Gentiles. No other church had entered into this partnership with him. It was a partnership of giving and receiving. Paul was the recipient of their support to him through their representative Epaphroditus. Their gifts were a fragrant offering and a sacrifice that pleased God. These descriptive terms came from the offerings of the priests before the incense altar in the Tabernacle. As the aroma of the incense along with the blood of the sacrifice rose before the Lord, so these gifts were pleasing to God and acceptable as a sacrifice. Paul stated in faith that God would reward those giving to him with meeting their every need. This was guaranteed by Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior, seated in glory at God’s right hand.
The great commission given by Jesus to His church(Matthew 28:18-20) of going to the ends of the earth and preaching to all was being worked out practically in the church at Philippi. Paul had gone there as a missionary and preached. Souls had been saved as they received the Word. These souls had heard the call to take the Gospel to others and had partnered with a missionary, Paul, to help send him to others who needed to hear. The offerings sent to meet the needs of Paul were a fragrant offering that pleased God and helped him preach. The partnership was rewarded by God meeting needs.
Have you ever viewed your giving to missions and missionaries as a partnership? As you give, do you see your offerings as a fragrant sacrifice that pleases God? Do you believe that as you give to missions God will supply all your own needs through Christ Jesus?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing plan to reach the ends of the earth through sending Your people to preach. As I give, these Scriptures help me to see how I am partnering with other believers to fulfill Your plan of salvation. Thank You that You have and will meet all my needs through Jesus! Amen.
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