NEW TESTAMENT GIVING- Part 22

NEW TESTAMENT GIVING – Part 22

The ultimate illustration of New Testament giving is seen in Paul’s admonition to husbands to love their wives; “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph 5:25) CHRIST’s example is always our pattern in all things. Love is the very basis for giving in the New Testament as HE has demonstrated. True love is the greatest motivator. When fear fails, duty is neglected, and the thought of future reward is forgotten, love will cause a man to give. The LORD JESUS demonstrated his willingness to give HIMSELF for HIS bride because HE loved her with an everlasting love.
HE was willing to spend and be spent because of HIS great love for her. HE considered the cost and gladly paid it, demanding nothing in return, but determined to purchase whatever HIS bride stood in need of. Love does not ever consider the cost too high but is willing to do all that is necessary. “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” (Isa 43:4) Quantities and quotas have nothing to do with giving which is motivated by love.
This is the same motivation for all that the LORD’s people are called upon to perform; regardless of whether it is in our marriages, the church, or even our place of employment. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” (Eph 6:5-7) Love for CHRIST will make men good employees as well as good employers.
Epaphroditus is held up as an example to the Phillipian church by Paul, as one who was willing to give of himself and his substance even when he was not necessarily feeling like it. He told them to hold him in high esteem for his works sake (see Phil.2:29) because he had ministered to Paul’s needs even when the Phillipians had neglected to do so. GOD always provides such things as those HE sends to a task need. They may not dine with fine china but HE will never leave them nor forsake them and will provide for them even if it is by their own hand as Paul often demonstrated. Epaphroditus was especially blessed in this “ministry” to which he was sent.
Paul then exhorts his “true yokefellow” (chap.6:3) (which was probably Timothy or Ephaphroditus, though we cannot be certain) to take special care of those who had labored with him no doubt giving of their substance and support. Just as he was mindful of the needs of widows and orphans, he was also mindful of those who had sacrificed much for the cause of CHRIST. Dare the sons of GOD neglect those who have given themselves for their service?
Paul is mindful to thank the Phillipians for their renewed support which evidently had been somewhat neglected (2:30) but perhaps stirred up in them by the consideration of Epaphroditus selfless love and they had began again to help Paul with the necessities of life. Rather than upbraid them for this neglect he lays it off to their not having had the proper opportunity to accomplish it. (see Phil.4:10) He reiterates his own willingness to be content with such things as he has, which lesson he had learned by experience wherein he had enjoyed abundance and had suffered lack, yet the LORD was sufficient for all things.(v.11,12)
His thankfulness for their present support serves as an occasion for him to remind them that their faithful support of him in the beginnings of his labors was of a singular blessing since they were the only church who did help him. (v.15) He uses this as an opportunity to remind them that it is more blessed to give than to receive by telling them that he was thankful for their support because of the blessing that he knew it was unto them to be enabled to give with a pure heart. (v.17)
“But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phi 4:18-19)


(to be continued, DV) mam