Gifts Are Fragrant

4:18 "But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God."

In the second half of this verse, Paul speaks of the Philippians’ gift as a sacrifice to God.

In the OT there was an elaborate system of sacrifices. With the crucifixion of Christ, which was what all the other atoning sacrifices were pointing to, the practice of ceremonial sacrifice came to an end for God’s people. However, there is still much use of sacrifice as a metaphor in the NT. Our service of Christ is spoken of in this language:

"You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1Pet.2:5)

There are a number of specific activities which are spoken of in sacrificial language:

1- The ministry of preaching Christ (e.g. Rom.15:16; Phil.2:17)

2- The yielding of oneself to God ( e.g. Rom.12:1)

3- Prayer ( e.g. Rev.5:8, 8:3-4 - The prayers of God’s people were what the "fragrant aroma" sacrifices at the altar of incense symbolized.)

4- Praise ( e.g. Heb.13:15)

These are four ways we are called upon to worship God, to offer our service up to Him as a means of glorifying Him.

In addition to these four, Paul speaks here in Phil.4:18 of the giving of a gift to a needy brother as " a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God." (Cf. Heb.13:16 "Do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.")

The significance of this is that we worship God by giving to others. The language makes it clear that God delights in our giving. To Him it is "a fragrant aroma", "acceptable" and "well-pleasing." There’s no way to get around it: God LOVES it when we give cheerfully to the ones He loves. When we give to His children who are in need, He takes it personally, as if we were giving to Him:

"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them , you did it to Me." (Matt.25:40)

Father, You are so worthy! I want to worship You in all the ways You have called me to worship You. You have done such a good job being God, help me do a good job of worshiping You in response. Your word says that You are seeking true worshipers. Here am I! I will worship You! But, Lord, I know that I can worship You only by Your good grace. And I need MUCH grace to worship You through generosity and sharing.