Title: Helping Others Who Are Going Through Hardships
Text:
Philippians 4:14-17 (HCSB)
14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.
15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent ⌊gifts⌋ for my need several times.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.
Observation:
The church at Philippi was one of the churches that voluntarily and sacrificially gave of themselves in what Paul described as, "My hardship".
They were willing to help out in giving to meet the pressing needs of Paul and his ministry. Notice that Paul mentioned that at one time they were the only one.
They were doing for Paul what he had encouraged them to do for others. Notice what Paul said to them here.
Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB)
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
4 Everyone should look out not ⌊only⌋ for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
When we give to others and support their kingdom building ministry we are making an investment that will be rewarded in this life and in eternity.
Philippians 4:17 (HCSB)
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.
When you give to others you are making an investment that results in blessings that keep on giving. Are you investing in the lives of others? Think about the profit that is increasing to your account in the Bank of Heaven.
Prayer:
Father, I exalt Your name, and give You praise and thanksgiving for who You are, and for Your grace and mercy to Your people. Father, give us willing hearts to serve others by sharing from what you have given to us.
Father, thank You for being Jehovah Jireh; the God who provides for His people. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:
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