The Matter of Giving and Receiving

4:15-16 "You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs."

Paul says to the Philippians that "no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone." He is not referring to the Philippians’ giving and his own receiving. He is referring to the give-and-take relationship enjoyed between him and the Philippian church. Both were giving, both were receiving.

The question that naturally arises, then, is this: How is Paul giving, and how are the Philippians receiving? (How the Philippians are giving and how Paul is receiving is obvious, since Paul has just received a gift of money from the Philippians.)

Several other passages seem to indicate that what Paul is talking about here is an arrangement in which Paul gives them the gospel (along with his life and love, etc.) and teaches them the truth, and they give him financial support. These other passages refer to a certain equality that is supposed to exist, whereby spiritual goods pass in one direction and material goods in the other direction:

"If the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings." (Rom.15:27 NIV)

"The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him." (Gal.6:6)

"If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" (1Cor.9:11)

"So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel." (1Cor.9:14)

(This spiritual/material give-and-take is probably also what is primarily in mind in the “equality” of 2Cor.8:13-14.)

In our materialistic society, it is easy for Christians to downplay the importance of Biblical nourishment and pastoral love. But the Scripture elevates these things:

"But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work." (1Thes.5:12-13)

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." (Heb.13:17)

"The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”" (1Tim.5:17-18)

The Philippians were the only ones who had a reciprocal, give-and-take relationship with Paul. He gave them the gospel and fed them the truth; they supported him financially. The other churches just received from Paul and did not give back in return (at times he refused their help because it would have been a stumbling block to them in some way).

Do you have a reciprocal, give-and-take relationship with the people who feed you the truth of God? Or do you just receive from them? Most just take (taking is much better than rejecting, of course!). Those who give back will be praised by God.

Father, there is nothing in this whole world more valuable than Your word of life. Thank You for those who teach it and proclaim it faithfully. Thank You for those You have used to teach it to me. Help me, Lord, to fulfill my part in teaching and spreading Your word in Your church and in the world. May my life send forth the message that Your word is sweeter than honey and more desirable than much fine gold, even by the way I treat Your messengers.