Credited to Your Account

        

Several years ago a young girl in  Los Angeles went to Biola College. She felt called to go to China as a missionary, so she took all of the required courses. When she finally applied to the mission board to go to China, they asked her to take a medical test. After her test the doctor said, “There is no way you could ever go to China.” She was rejected because she had a heart problem that would have been aggravated in China.

And so, after all of those years of training and preparing, she received the disappointing news that she could not go. She cried before the Lord because of the frustration of her life ambition. But one day she came across another girl, who also felt the call to go to China as a missionary. This young woman was qualified but lacked the funds. She said to the poor girl, “I have an idea, we can be partners.”

“I will get a job and half of what I make, I will send to you, to support your work in China”. They made a pact; she went out and got a job. Half of what she earned she would send to the girl in China to support her missionary work. God began to bless her work, she got promotions. She extended her support to other missionaries in China. At one time, she was supporting five ladies who were missionaries there.

When Paul was in a Roman prison, the Philippians church sent him a love offering to support him.  In a “thank you” letter which is the book of Philippians in the Bible, Paul referred to them as “my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil.4:3). In Philippians 4:14-16 he remembered how they had come to his aid many times in the past when nobody else did. 

Then in verses 17-18 he said “not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have received everything in full; I have abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you” Paul rejoiced that the Philippians had been able to send the gift not for his sake alone but for theirs too. You might think that the recipient benefits most from a gift to God’s work. But here Paul says that the primary beneficiary of your faithful giving is you!

The strange thing in this passage is that the apostle does not commend the Philippians because they met his need; he is commending them because there would be spiritual fruit credited to their account. Since the apostle had needs in prison, we would suppose that he would thank them because of what their gift did for him. But he barely mentions that and his gratitude goes to God.

Paul focuses on how their giving would benefit them. He tells them that he is not seeking their money but their eternal fruit. The phrase “credited to your account” gives an image of a bank account. Paul is implying that there exists an account where, the fruit resulting from the work he does using then money given to him is credited. He is so happy that the amount in the Philippians account has increased.

Financial planners tell us, “When it comes to your money, don’t think just three years ahead, think thirty years ahead”. Jesus takes it a step further saying, “don’t ask how your investment will be paying off in thirty years. Ask how it will be paying off in eternity”. The wise man Solomon tells us “cast your bread upon much water and you will find it after many days” (Ec. 11:1).

Solomon alludes to the element of trust in ancient world of business. Ships on commercial voyages would be long delayed; it would take a while before any profit resulted. Again giving money for God’s work might seem as wasteful as throwing food (bread) to the water. Solomon’s point is; do something now for a reward that cannot be immediately seen. Look beyond what can be seen, the profit may delay but it is certain.

Paul talks about “the fruit that abounds”. To see people accept Christ and living for Him is the ultimate end of all Christian missionary effort. Carrying out the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) is tough but the results bring a lot of joy and fulfillment. The psalmist says “those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them” (Ps. 126:6).

Paul is sowing precious seeds in the prison. He is preaching to the guards who are chained to him (Acts 28:16, Phil. 1:12-14). These guards (without choice) are listening to his every conversation. They later share with their families and others what they are have heard, spreading the gospel out of the prison walls. Paul is preaching to his visitors; Epaphroditus who brought the Philippians gift is just one of his visitors.

Paul is strengthening the brethren who are watching him. His courage, hope and calmness in this prison are giving them courage remain true to their calling (Phil.1:14; 4:21-22). He is writing letters, this one to the Philippians is just one of them. We are not told what need was met by the money he received from the Philippians. But, whatever it was, there would be spiritual fruit resulting from it.

Solomon says” whoever watches the wind will not plant , whoever looks at the cloud will not reap…sow your seed in the morning  and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that , or whether both will do equally well (Ec. 11:6). The sower in Jesus parable (Matt..13:20-22) broadcasted seeds. Some produced nothing but others produced one hundred percent.

Paul is broadcasting gospel seed, he is sowing in the morning and at evening. Some may not survive but others will; there will be fruit. Those who are helping Paul physically, materially, emotionally or in any other way are partakers in his great ministry. Even though the Philippians are miles away from Paul, they have supported his ministry. They are co-workers and will have a share in the eternal reward.

Paul was glad the Philippians gave because the fruit of his ministry would be credited to their heavenly bank account. If you support your church or a gospel ministry, you have a share in what the church or that ministry accomplishes. This means that when you stand before Christ, you will be rewarded for the fruit that comes from that ministry. By giving to the Lord’s work, you are investing in souls.

Invest in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. It’s the smartest investment you can make. God deposits dividend into your Eternal Retirement Account.; it will pay dividends for all eternity! Whenever you invest your time, material things and talents in God’s kingdom, you are laying up treasures in Heaven where no moth or rust can destroy and where no thief can break in and steal (Matt. 6:19-21).

Philippians 4:17 is one among many texts that challenge us to see our lives here as the opportunity to serve the Lord in the prospect of his reward. There are many more important and higher reasons to serve the Lord, but the prospect of his reward is a reason too. Serving God is so difficult and we need motivation to do it. One motivation is the hope that our investment and labor will be rewarded.

According to Philippians 4:17, some believers will have more fruit credited to their account than others. The more we do for Christ the larger our account will become. Some Christians are more faithful than others and God will take that fact into account. God will make sure that you receive your due; every act of love, every effort you make to advance his interests in the lives of others will have its proper reward.

Three times Paul states that he has been given enough: “I have received everything in full; I have abundance; I am amply supplied” (v.18). The Philippians gift must have been generous. Ironically, if any church had an excuse not to give, it was the Philippians since they were one of the most impoverished churches.

It was one of the Macedonian churches (Philippians and Thessalonians and Berean). Talking about these churches Paul told the Corinthians “we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.  In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

If you are a believer in Christ, there is an account with your name on it reserved in the "bank of Heaven". Are you making frequent deposits in your account? If so, your reward in heaven will be great!  May the Lord, give us eyes of faith to "look at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal"(2 Cor.4:18).

When we give to God’s work, we are touching lives for eternity. We don’t see it now, but someday we’ll stand before the Lord and see people who are in heaven because we gave. When we invest in God’s work, he keeps a record. He does not just keep track of what we give, but of the lives that are touched through our gifts. Such sacrificial giving will meet a glorious reward hereafter.