The Script

¹⁸ At the moment I have all I need-and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. _{Philippians 4:18-20}

The Plot

As Paul illustrates, churches have supported the people who have ministered to them since the beginning. It isn’t something that we have to do, it is something we should want to do. We should adopt the attitude of not how much of our stuff we should give God, but how much of God’s stuff we should keep.

When you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, “Does this hurt? How about this?” If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there’s something wrong, and the doctor will say, “We’d better do some more tests. It’s not supposed to hurt there!”

So it is when pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard. Or perhaps there’s something wrong. In that case, I say, “My friend, we’re in need of the Great Physician because it’s not supposed to hurt there.”

The Walk Through

1. Who did the church at Philippi send to help Paul?
2. What do you suppose they sent to Paul?
3. Why is it important for us to support ministries today?

Ad Lib

If you give what you do not need, it isn’t giving. _{- Mother Teresa}