Christian Devotional – April 6, 2020

Running the Race – #42

Philippians 4:17 – Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
Philippians 4:17 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.17.NASB

Paul had been mentioning his thankfulness for the various gifts that the people of Philippi had sent him. They had delivered money to him at a time when he was in need and he is very thankful and grateful to them for it. However, he wants them to understand he’s not thankful specifically for the money.

Paul knew that God would supply his needs through whatever means God deemed necessary. In this case, God happened to use the money that the Philippines had sent, but he very easily could have used something else. For Paul, he wanted the people to understand that what he really valued about their gift was the attitude that they gave it and the benefit that they would receive from having made the sacrifice and offered the gift in the first place.

You see, when we give to God, we do that because God has told us to. However, he also uses that as an opportunity to bless our lives. Paul was excited for the people because of the blessing they would be receiving in their own lives as the result of their obedience.

Are we being obedient in our lives to give all that God has for us to give? Do we understand and recognize giving isn’t about the money or the time that we give but about the blessing and the response that God gives back to us as a result? How do we need to be obedient to give to God today?