Verse: Philippians 4:14-20
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of given and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Devotion
Being generous with people brings us closer to God. It is a pretty cool twist that God "built into the system." Paul tells us that when we are generous it is a "fragrant offering" to God. That doesn't mean much to us today, but it would have made a lot of sense to Jews of the 1st century who were still doing offerings. Without going into much detail, the offerings that were specifically fragrant had to do with thanksgiving and relationship with God, and not so much sin.
It's a subtle point, but when we are generous to others it not only blesses them, it blesses us. It pleases God and it brings us closer to God.
So how can you be generous? Do you have to be rich to be generous? Do you have to have extra?
The truth is anyone can be generous, regardless of how much or how little you have. What if this week you looked for one person to be generous with? I wonder how that would deepen your walk with God?