Philippians 4:17

Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

(v17, NIV)

Paul is thankful for their gift to him. He knows how to be content whether he has a lot or has a little. However, it is still good for them to give to him even if he would have been okay without it. He doesn't really care about the gift. Instead, he cares about their benefit from giving the gift. When you give something, you give something away and what you give away is taken away from what you have. Therefore, what you have decreases in your giving. Fortunately, there is a benefit and you will receive back from your giving. It's not that you will necessarily receive back what you gave, but benefit comes in many different ways.

From Paul's perspective, he looks forward to their sharing in his ministry. They are benefited by being a part of his work for the cause of Christ. In addition, their giving may be a sign of their faithfulness with what God has blessed them with. They may be earnestly following what God has instructed them to do with the blessings they have received from God. Giving isn't just a one way process. There are benefits both ways. An opportunity to give is an opportunity for us to be blessed by giving to others.

This isn't just a simple equation. Simply giving doesn't mean you will receive in the way you think or want to receive. In addition, beware of half-hearted giving. The Pharisees certainly tithed, but they were hypocrites and enemies of the cross of Christ. Simply giving and throwing your money at others doesn't make everything okay. Give as one genuinely concerned for the needs of others.