15 “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.” Philippians 4:15-16
The Church at Philippi was Paul’s baby! It was his model church – his trophy! The Philippian believers had an advantage from the outset seeing firsthand how God, Himself delivered Paul and Silas along with all the other prisoners of the local prison with a miraculous act of power (Acts 16:23-34)! Suddenly the proclamation of a God who is bigger than the Roman government and it began to spread, which raised their confidence and freed them from the fear of Pax Romana, which is Roman Peace, the Roman way of subjection and often oppression.
Paul also cast a demon out of a slave girl, a spirit of divination (fortune telling; Acts 16:16), who brought her masters some hefty profits, so it’s apparent that her influence had penetrated an affluent market, who were also coming to know this Jesus who not only knows the future, but holds the future in His hands!
In short, Paul connected with the Philippians in a very special way and gave them something very special – A Savior who loved them, the new birth and the empowerments of the Holy Spirit, and a way of life that offered more than they had ever known! They not only heard Paul. They put into practice what he taught them and they were blessed!
Behind all this was God, who was giving them opportunity to cultivate a beautiful heart of gratitude, who sent supplies and provisions to Paul multiple times so he could continue to give others what he had given them! This is why Paul could promise them that his “…God shall supply all their needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Cultivating a grateful heart allows us to live bigger than a stingy, fearful heart does. It cares about others and desires to see the kingdom of God revealed to all those who Jesus died for! All those who have come to the end of their expectations of this life are the very ones Jesus came to rescue and offer them a life that no one else can because that life is backed with living proof of a Savior who lives to bring blessing and power to those who have none! It can start for you today if you allow Jesus to be your Lord!
With Love,
Pastor Tom