From the beginning of its history, there have always been those within the Church who are in need, and those within the Church who are not in need. As you read the Word, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles, you might notice that God spent a great deal of time and effort in bringing these two subgroups together. One of the first descriptions of the Early Church is found in Acts 2:42-47 and includes the following, “All believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”

The beleaguered Apostle Paul, though he had learned “the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want”, still could not contain his gratitude to the Philippians for their gifts to him. He wrote, “yet it was good of you to share in my troubles…you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.” Had they not been so generous, would we now have that wonderful “thank you note” to the Philippians? This is a perfect example of how God can multiply the blessing of a gift given to those in need:

1. Paul is used by God to give the believers in Philippi the gift of life in Jesus Christ.
2. The Philippians, in turn, send gifts to Paul that enable him to live more comfortably as he awaits his fate in Rome.
3. Paul is so blessed by these gifts that he sends a lengthy note of gratitude.
4. This note from Paul is so precious to the Philippians that they preserve it for posterity.
5. Posterity adds it to the collection of other letters we now call the Epistles.
6. To this very day, untold numbers of people read Philippians for the inspired encouragement and wisdom it contains.

In this season of gift-giving, let us ask God to multiply the blessing of the gift that we give to those in need. Who knows what a God like our God can do with it?