Give out of Love

The Apostle Paul commended the church at Philippi for the support they gave him on his missionary journeys. Paul went to Philippi on his second missionary journey. Lydia and her household became members of the church, as did the Philippian jailor and his household. The brethren there knew and loved Paul. They praised the Lord for his direct ministry to them and for his ministry to other Gentiles.

As Paul wrote Philippians, he sat under house arrest in Rome. Even though Paul couldn’t travel as he once did, he still ministered; and he still had needs. The Philippians remembered Paul and sent him a gift. Paul thanked the Lord for that gift and rejoiced in the Lord for their care for him. They gave Paul a gift because of the way they thought about him. They loved Paul and were concerned for him; hence, they thought about him and his circumstances and did something to meet his needs.

Love motivates giving. Someone once said, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” Remember John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave….” When you care, you are concerned. You think about the well-being of the person and how you can aid. In giving to missionaries, think about your gift as meeting a need and as encouraging them. Think about your gift as helping see the gospel spread through your support of the missionary. Give out of care. Give out of love.