The Blessing of Giving and Receiving Part VI
At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. {Phil 4:18 NLT}
As believers, our acts of benevolence done in line with the principles of Christ are proofs of our genuine reverence/devotion to God and not as venues to keep getting more. Our scriptural focus for today states – At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.
Apostle Paul described the generous giving of the Philippian brethren as a sweet-smelling sacrifice, in relation to the old testament temple worship, were worshippers are expected by God to offer clean animals in burnt offerings and God receives it as a sweet smelling sacrifice. He regarded their giving as one done to God himself.
What makes your giving a sweet smelling sacrifice isn’t the size of the gift but the motive behind your giving. In the old testament, the object for sacrifice must be clean and without blemish for God to receive it as a sweet smelling sacrifice but in the new testament, the giving must be on the basis of love and in response to the finished work of Christ for it to be a sweet smelling sacrifice, which is acceptable and pleasing to God.
The overrule goal of Christian giving, is for our gifts to come to God as sweet and acceptable and not to be sweet and acceptable to the ministers or church alone.
Give according to the standard of Christ.
Have a Grace filled day – Good News awaits you.
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Last modified: April 30, 2016
