Philippians 4:17: I Seek The Fruit That Increases To Your Credit

Philippians 4:17
[17] Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. (ESV)

How much money is in your bank account? I imagine most people would answer, "Not enough!" I worked in banks for a number of years. I have had thousands of dollars pass through my hands, but not many of those dollars made their way into my account. And now, as I look forward to retirement I fear that there are still not many dollars stored up for me.

I want to ask a different question. How much spiritual money is stored up for you in your eternal account? Have you ever considered that? The Apostle Paul certainly did. Here in this verse he tells the Philippian believers that when it comes to them giving a gift to help his ministry he is more interested in them getting credit eternally. He seeks the fruit that increases to their credit.

What does it mean that we have credit that increases. The reality is that when we give of our resources to the work of the Lord there is an increase to our eternal credit. We are giving up resources here on earth, but our loving Heavenly Father will reward us in Heaven. I doubt those rewards will be money, as I doubt there will be money needed in heaven, but I can imagine his reward is far greater.

Listen to Jesus' words. He speaks to this very concept of treasure in Heaven:

Matthew 6:20
[20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (ESV)

Be very wise with how you invest your life. We can get so consumed with earthly treasure. Increase your spiritual bank account by obediently giving to the work of spreading the Gospel.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog