Philippians 4:14-17
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 15 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. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
When Paul speaks of sharing in his difficulty, he's talking about money. The group that he was writing to had helped to fund his ministry, and this is his thank-you letter. I find the last sentence of this letter interesting. He says that he wants them to get a prize because of their giving. We should never give in order to get something, whether from God or from people, but if you read the Bible it's obvious that those who give are blessed.
Malachi 3 says this: 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
This is the only part of the Bible where God says to test Him. When we give, God is there waiting to pour out His blessings upon us!
-Jeff-
Philippians 1: 7-11
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christb]">[b]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
How do you respond when a friend is going through tough times? What about when they are being accused of something that you're not sure is right? As I said in a previous post, Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter, and in 2 Timothy 4 he lists several people who have abandoned him because of his chains, yet the people in Philippi never doubted him. They stood strong with him until the end, because they believed in him and his message. So when someone comes to you and they're talking bad about one of your friends, do you stick with that friend, or let them slide?
-Jeff-
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