Who benefits from your generosity?
As I venture through this support-raising process, I have
continually been wowed not just by people’s generosity, but by their overall
perspective on giving, missions and living a life of purpose wherever we are
and whatever we do. As I dedicate myself to prioritizing generosity with my own
finances, I am always encouraged when I encounter others who share the same joy
in investing in things that matter; things that last; things that
truly pay off.
Paul had an interesting perspective on the generosity that
made it possible for him to devote his full attention to making Jesus famous
throughout the Roman Empire. His supporters in Philippi, Macedonia sent him aid
to serve in Thessalonica and beyond.
“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of
your acquaintance with the Gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one
church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you
only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than
once when I was in need” (Phil. 4:15-16).
Here’s the twist…
“Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be
credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than
enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from
Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an
acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your
needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil.
4:17-19).
- Paul is fully supplied/has more than enough because of their gifts.
- God is fully pleased/worshipped by the Philippians’ fragrant, acceptable sacrifice.
- The Philippians’ needs will be fully met according to God’s riches in response to their generosity.
- The places where Paul preached were fully blessed with the gift of salvation.
After he went from Philippi to Thessalonica, he went on to
Corinth. While there, Paul made it a point not to be a financial burden to that
particular church. The Macedonians committed to support Paul so that he could
serve the Corinthians (2 Cor. 11:8-9). While he waited for the support to come
from Philippi, he worked as a tentmaker and was only able to preach one day a
week (Acts 18:1-4). When the aid came, however, he was able to focus completely
on the preaching of the Gospel (Acts 18:5).
He even uses the Philippians as examples of generosity - no
matter what their financial situation was - to encourage the Corinthians to be
generous to the collection Paul was taking up for Jerusalem.
“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about
the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of
a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up
in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were
able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently
pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the
Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves
first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us” (2 Cor. 8:1-5).
Likewise, here are some effects of your giving in our context:
- I am supplied in order to fully focus on the task of making disciples.
- God - who loves cheerful givers (2 Cor. 9:7) - is worshipped by your generosity.
- Your generosity-sowing increases your generosity-reaping (2 Cor. 9:6). You are sustained materially and more is credited to your spiritual account (Phil. 4:17).
- Those drawn to salvation in Uruguay will benefit eternally from your gifts.
Thank you for your intentional prayer and thank you for
exceeding my expectations!
