WEDNESDAY October 9, 2024
Having Fruit That Abounds
For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
Philippians 4:16-18
Paul reflected back on the aid sent to him by the Philippians for his necessities. The gift was brought to him by his beloved friend Epaphroditus. Again, Paul never asked for support––not one penny. He never asked for anything, because His trust was in the Lord.
The Philippians were moved by God to willingly give to Paul. They knew of his financial difficulties, and, as his friends, they wanted to help him. In return, Paul desired that God would give to them fruit that abounds to their own accounts by blessing them with rich, spiritual dividends, not necessarily monetary blessings. The gift sent to Paul was an acceptable gift that was well-pleasing to God.
I love what Paul said: ...but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. He referred to banking spiritual dividends in heaven! Temporal things are going to burn up. Eternal things will last forever, and one day we will be rewarded. God keeps record of those things given to the work of the Lord. It is not so much about the gift given, but the return to be had. There are eternal dividends in heaven kept for us.
When funds are given to help and bless pastors in Chile, Colombia or Peru, missionaries in Thailand, widows, and orphans, or you faithfully give tithes to provide for the needs of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, God keeps records. May God help us to give because we are investing into the Kingdom of God.
The Lord is pleased when you give obediently. It is a sweet-smelling offering of praise to Him.
It's what you sow that multiplies, not what you keep in the barn.
~Adrian Rodgers~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
