Sacrifice for Increase

I missed the point Paul makes about sacrifice several times through. Surrounded and bombarded by scriptures confirming his intention in writing about the financial gifts the Philippians gave to him, Paul only writes one scripture to make his point. Paul commended them for giving or sacrificing what little money they had that he may continue in His ministry, proclaiming the Gospel to the gentiles. In other words, they sacrificed of themselves so that God’s kingdom might be expanded. Paul recognized their sacrifice put them in a position of need and he assured them, just as God had been providing for him, He would also provide for them. I am also challenged by Paul’s area of excitement. He was more grateful for the increase in faith the Philippians were experiencing than of the gift.

Going through staff training for Campus Crusade for Christ I heard all of this. We were told where our heart should be in the stage of Ministry Partner Development (financial support raising). We were even trained in such a way we could come off as being more concerned for spiritual growth than people joining our support team. I tell you, that is a hard perspective to have especially when I saw my savings account being depleted. I tried so hard to work in that perspective. It just seemed like there really wasn’t much of a change in my heart as there was being communicated in my presentation. Seeing this perspective in scripture is awesome but how do I really get there. I understand it’s a faith issue so I’m just going to ask Him who free gives it.

Heavenly father, you have never broken a promise me made to anybody. You take great care in keeping your word even when it hurts you to do so. You have made many promises to us and you intend to keep them. You desire for us to be your friend more than anything else you could want. I want our friendship to be better. I want to sense your pain. I want to see your pain. I want to live in such a way your pain is healed. Increase my faith so that I may not grieve you any longer. You are my source for everything so help me to realize that in my heart. Amen!

Created about 2 years ago