The Blessing of Giving and Receiving Part IV
I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. {Phil 4:17 NLT}
As believers, it will be important to understand that poverty is the fruit of idleness/unproductive lifestyle, while joy/happiness is a fruit of a virtuous lifestyle, so run your life on the right principles. Our scriptural focus for today states – I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
Apostle Paul’s intention for making public the generosity of the Philippian brethren was not to receive more financial or material gifts from either the Philippian church nor to motivate other churches who have not been giving to start doing so. His intentions were very clear, he desired God’s blessings on them as a reward for their kindness towards him as a minister of Christ. The interest of the people he was privileged to minister to, was always uppermost in the heart of Apostle Paul, no wonder he desires that their giving will not go unrewarded.
As ministers or believers, our intention for encouraging the brethren to give either towards the personal need of the ministers or the work of ministry, should not be a design to rip the brethren of their financial/material blessings, rather it should be the godly way of teaching the brethren the divine reward system of God. Giving and receiving in the church, is also not an avenue to steer up greed or covetousness in the life of the brethren, by promising a reward system that will motivate them to give. The Philippian brethren gave out of Love for Christ and His minister (Paul), and not for the reward that will come to them as a result of their giving.
God rewards believers when we give to demonstrate our love for Christ.
Have a Grace filled day – Good News awaits you.
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Last modified: April 30, 2016
