Philippians 4:18To: Philippians Main MenuTo: Grace Notes Home Page Philippians 4:18Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.INDEED Paul is still exercised lest the Philippians mistake his talk about money as a lobby for more. I HAVE ALL AND ABOUND The money that the Philippians sent was ample for his needs in jail. The word "have" is another business term. It is technical term meaning to draw up a receipt. Literally it means "to have in full." This term carries the idea of paid in full. It means to receive a sum and give a receipt. Paul received full payment from the Philippians. He acknowledges their gift. This statement is their receipt marked "paid in full." The payment was not only made in full but it was more than enough -- "abound." It not only supplied his need, it went beyond his need. Paul views himself in prosperity while sitting in jail! He has more than enough to satisfy his needs. This phrase is an acknowledgment of God's providential care of Paul. Trust in a God who cares grows as we experience God's care. I AM FULL, HAVING RECEIVED FROM EPAPHRODITUS THE THINGS SENT FROM YOU Epaphroditus carried the gift of money from Philippi to Paul in Rome (2:25-30). That gift he describes as "I have all and abound...I am full...." He received full payment and had a surplus in his bank account. The Greek indicates that he viewed filling as his status quo. There is no ingratitude on Paul's part. The two words "from" indicate appreciation for the kindness of both Epaphroditus and the church. PRINCIPLE: Giving is a barometer of our spiritual condition. APPLICATION: Some of us have the attitude that if we had more, we would give more. The Philippian attitude was to give more first. If we wait to give more, we probably will not give more. We must begin with what we have with what God has given us. Then God will enable us to do yet more. A SWEET-SMELLING AROMA Paul does not specify what gifts they sent from Philippi. He simply describes them. First description -- "a sweet-smelling aroma." The Philippian gift impacts both upon Paul and God. Paul welcomes the gift as an act of God upon him. He highly regards the gift because God's hand was in it. The gift also impacts God. It was a "sweet-smelling aroma" to God. "A sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice" is Old Testament language taken from the Levitical offerings (Ex 29:18; Ezek 10:41; Gen 8:21; Lev 1:9,13,17; 2:12).. Their gift smells sweet to God. It has the fragrance of perfume to God. This is an offering that pleases God. There were two types of sacrifices in the Old Testament: 1. Sacrifice for sin. 2. Sacrifices that bring worship. The second usage (worship) is the idea in this passage. God accepts our contributions to his cause as praise and thanksgiving to his name. "Sweet-smelling aroma" is also used of Christ's offering up of himself upon the altar of the cross, "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Eph. 5:2). We have an idiom in the English language that says, "Something does not smell right here." That is a negative image. "Sweet-smelling aroma" has a positive connotation. This offering smelled good to Paul and to God. PRINCIPLE: Giving is an act of worship. APPLICATION: We worship when we give to the work of Jesus Christ. That is why it smells sweet to God. Do you please God by giving to his work as an act of worship? When you drop your offering into the offering plate, are you consciously doing it as an act of worship? When you write a check to a servant of God, are you doing it as an act of worship? Three descriptions of an offering that glorifies God is set forth in this verse: 1. "A sweet-smelling aroma" 2. "An acceptable sacrifice" 3. "Well pleasing to God." Today we come to the second description -- "An acceptable sacrifice." AN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE This sacrifice was first acceptable to Paul then it was acceptable to God. When we give to God's servants, it pleases God. If we find anything in the Bible that pleases God we should take note of it. If we want to please God, we should give financially to God's work. Children who have enough sense to please their parents undergo an easier life. It would not be so difficult to extract 10$ from their parents. If we would learn this lesson about God, we would find that he is favorably inclined toward us. The word sacrifice means "to slay." This is not the act of sacrifice but "the thing slain." In the Old Testament this word was used of animal sacrifices. Their gift was a sacrifice (II Cor. 8:1-5). They gave out of poverty. Here it is a money sacrifice that is acceptable to God. This "acceptable sacrifice" is propitious (satisfying) to God. He regards our offering of money with favor. PRINCIPLE: When we give, we give not only to God's servants but to God himself. It is a sacrifice to God. Monetary sacrifice praises God. God puts a premium on giving that comes from love. APPLICATION: God deems money given to God's servants as a sacrifice to himself. It rejoices the heart of God. God gives us the responsibility to glorify himself with our resources. We glorify him, not only with our surplus, but with every dime we own. The money he gives us not ours, but his and ours. The service of giving to the cause of Christ not only encourages and advances the cause of Christ, but it is an act of worship. God takes pleasure in this. The third and last description of giving that glorifies God is that it pleases him -- "Well pleasing to God." WELL PLEASING TO GOD The sacrifice of giving pleases God. The words "well pleasing" are used in Hebrews 13:15,16 regarding the sacrifices as here, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name (this is a verbal sacrifice). But do not forget to do good and to share (give money), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." PRINCIPLE: We please God both with our lips and our giving. APPLICATION: Are you in the business of pleasing God? One way to please God is giving to the cause of Christ. ---------- Copyright © 1995, Dr. Grant Richison. All rights reserved. There is no charge for Grace Notes Materials. You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to: Grace Notes 1705 Aggie Lane Austin, Texas 78757 wdoud@bga.com Grace Notes Web site: http://www.realtime.net/~wdoud/ Anonymous FTP site: ftp://ftp.bga.com/vendors/wdoud/ Grace Notes is a ministry of Village Missions International. |
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