Philippians 4:16-17 - "Giving Again and Again"

Today we continue looking at what I believe is one of themost beautiful passages in all of Scripture on the grace of giving. Paul writesin Philippians 4:16–17: "For even in Thessalonica you sent once andagain unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit thatmay abound to your account.” Aswe've seen, the church at Philippi was unique. Many churches appreciated Paul'sministry, but very few actually partnered with him financially.  Paulhad only been in Thessalonica for a short time. According to Acts 17, hisministry there lasted only a few weeks before persecution forced him to leave.Yet during that brief ministry, the believers at Philippi sent help more thanonce. That tells us something about their hearts. Generous people don't waituntil they become wealthy. They simply look for opportunities to meet needs.  Godisn't looking first at the size of the gift. He is looking at the faithfulnessof the giver. Throughout Scripture we see this pattern. When the children ofIsrael built the tabernacle, the people kept bringing offerings until Moses hadto tell them to stop because there was more than enough. The widow of Zarephathcontinued sharing her last meal with Elijah, and God continued supplying theoil and the meal. The poor widow whom Jesus observed in the Temple gave onlytwo mites, yet Jesus declared she had given more than all the wealthy becauseshe gave out of her poverty. Faithful giving has never been measured by theamount. It has always been measured by the heart. ThenPaul says something that surprises us in verse 17: "Not because Idesire a gift..." Paul wasn't manipulating anyone. He wasn't raisingmoney for himself. He wasn't trying to make people feel guilty. His concernwasn't his own comfort. His concern was their spiritual growth. That is why hecontinues: "But I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Whatan amazing statement! Paul says, in effect, "I'm more excited about whatGod is doing for you than what you're doing for me." He knew that everygift they gave in the name of Christ would become an eternal investment. Jesustaught this same truth in Matthew 6:19–20: "Lay not up for yourselvestreasures upon earth... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."Every dollar spent on ourselves eventually disappears. Every investment madefor Christ lasts forever. Paulpictures their generosity as fruit that is continually being credited to theirheavenly account. Imagine receiving a monthly bank statement and discoveringsomeone had been making deposits into your account all month long. Paul saysthat is exactly what happens spiritually when we invest in God's work. Godkeeps the records. God never forgets. Nothing given in His name is ever wasted.Sometimes we think only preachers, missionaries, or evangelists receive eternalrewards. But Paul reminds us that those who faithfully support God's servantsshare in those same eternal blessings. WhenWilliam Carey went to India as a missionary, his friend Andrew Fuller remainedin England to raise support and encourage churches to stand behind the work.Carey reportedly said, "I will go down into the pit if you will hold theropes." The man in the pit and the men holding the ropes shared the samemission. The same is true today. Some are called to go. Others are called tosend. Both are equally important in the work of the Gospel.  (Read Romans 10:14-15) When yousupport missionaries... When you help your local church... When you encouragethose serving Christ... You are producing fruit that will one day be rewardedin eternity. The wonderful truth is this: God is never indebted to anyone. Heremembers every act of generosity done for His glory. So today, ask yourself:Am I giving only occasionally? Or have I made generosity a way of life? Am Iinvesting only in things that will perish? Or am I laying up treasures thatwill last forever?