(Part 1)
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3, 5.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is in response to the help they had sent him. His opening utterance after the salutation and benediction, is thanksgiving to God for this fruit of the Spirit. This of itself marks the importance of the subject. This precious Epistle of Christian experience is a song of praise and thanksgiving drawn out by the Philippian’s gift. His heart was full, for there was fruit that would abound to their account:
“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... Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Chapter 4:18, 20.
They had communicated with him in the beginning, when (alas!) no other church had, but now also their care of him was revived; they had lacked opportunity, but “where there’s a will there’s a way,” and God opens the way to the willing heart. Epaphroditus had risked his life to convey the gift, according to the word, “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren,” and God had shown mercy to him, and so increased the blessing, in drawing out their hearts to one another with new thanksgivings. Thus does our God multiply the seed sown, and cause thanksgivings to abound. The love of God was at work.
Fellowship with the gospel is a high and holy thing. It is fellowship with Him who died for sinners, but not too high for us. It becomes us and belongs to us,
“Freely ye have received freely give.” Matthew 10:8.
This whole Epistle and its circumstances, is the Spirit’s testimony that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. He delights in the fruitfulness of love—of faith that has works, and that works by love.
“For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessings from God.” Hebrews 6:7. And so in Malachi He challenges them to offer tithes, that He might bless them:
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3:10.
And in Paul’s forewell words, we may call them, to the saints, we find this simple and impressive exhortation:
“I have showed you all things how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus (may His words abide in us), how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all, and they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more, and they accompanied him unto the ship.” Acts 20:35-38.
This affecting farewell gives a character of special importance to the final exhortation that it might, as it were, ring in our ears and in our hearts—the affectionate farewell appeal of an under shepherd and an apostle—our servant for Jesus’ sake: calling attention to the words of Him who died for us, who could command, but who also exhorts, and incites, and encourages our hearts by the word,
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
(To Be Continued)