Giving; Feelings or Phillipians

I reviewed Paul's letter to the Philippian church today as I went about my duties. One portion struck me more deeply than it has before.

Paul writes:

"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 giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need." (Philippians 4:15-16)

A little earlier in the same letter, he also says:

"But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs." (Philippians 2:25)

Paul was not in the habit of asking for support for the ministry he had set out to fulfil in obedience to the commission he had received. Even while writing to the Philippians, you can sense that he is more concerned about their welfare than his own. He seems careful not to create the impression that he is asking for more. In fact, he says plainly that he is not seeking the gift itself but rather the fruit that increases to their account.

This is a thought I have wrestled with many times as a minister and missionary.

Should I write newsletters and updates? Should I regularly inform believers where I am, what I am doing, and what needs exist in the work? Should I remind people that ministry has practical needs just like every other area of life?

I always hesitate.

Even when I have reached out to people, it has usually been because I felt the Lord specifically point them out, sometimes through a dream, a vision, or a strong conviction. Even then, asking for support is difficult. It can feel like begging. It can feel like receiving what you have not personally worked for. Deep down, I believe that a worker should enjoy the fruit of their labour.

Yet Paul did not seem to have an easy life. Sometimes I wonder what his life would have looked like had he actively sought support from the churches he planted. Perhaps he would have owned a chariot. Perhaps he would have had a permanent home to return to between journeys. Instead, historians tell us he spent much of his mornings making tents while devoting his afternoons and evenings to preaching, teaching, reasoning, writing letters, and strengthening believers.

The man was busy, burdened, and often with just enough.

I sometimes find myself wondering about the practical side of his life. When did he cook? When did he wash his clothes? When did he rest? When did he recover from the beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, and endless travels?

The Philippians appear to have thought about those things.

When they gave to Paul, they did not simply send money or supplies. At one point they sent a person. They sent Epaphroditus, whom Paul describes as their messenger and the one sent to take care of his needs.

Think about that for a moment.

They did not merely support the ministry; they supported the minister. They did not only provide resources; they provided companionship, service, and practical help. Epaphroditus could help with daily responsibilities, run errands, assist with hospitality, and carry some of the burdens that would otherwise consume Paul's time.

In a sense, Epaphroditus helped Paul to better concentrate on both his tent ministries. 😀 Hio joke I hope haijakupita.

But this raises an interesting question.

How did the Philippians know what was needed?

If Paul was not constantly sending fundraising letters or appeals for support, how did they become aware of his situation?

I asked the Lord that question once, and the answer that came to my heart was simple:

"They asked Me."

The Philippians did not merely ask Paul what he needed. They asked the Lord.

When we ask God, He not only tells us where to give; He also tells us how to give. Sometimes the answer is money. Sometimes it is food. Sometimes it is time. Sometimes it is encouragement. Sometimes it is the gift of your presence, as it was with Epaphroditus.

Many believers wait for the newsletter. They wait for the announcement. They wait for the fundraising drive, the WhatsApp message, or the church project. There is nothing wrong with those things. They have their place.

However, mature believers learn another habit. They ask God.

"Father, where would You have me give?"

"Who needs encouragement today?"

"Which work are You supporting in this season?"

"How can I participate in what You are doing?"

Here is a hard truth. If we never ask the Lord, our giving will often remain confined to the people we know and the congregations we attend. We support what is familiar. We support what is visible and trendy. We support where our relationships already exist.

As a result, we may end up giving generously in one place while completely overlooking a need elsewhere. We may convince ourselves that we are supporting the Church when, in reality, we are only supporting our congregation. We improve the compound but not necessarily the Kingdom. We increase salaries but not always souls.

God, however, sees the whole field.

He knows where every missionary is labouring. He knows where every widow is praying. He knows where every struggling believer is trying to remain faithful. He knows where every gospel work is lacking support and if we ask Him, He is more than capable of directing our giving.

Think about Zacchaeus. When conviction came upon him, he did not hand his wealth to the Man of God sitting in his house. Apart from hosting Jesus, he directed his giving toward those he had wronged and those who had suffered because of his corruption.

His giving became an expression of repentance and restoration.

Imagine the conversations that followed. Imagine neighbours asking what had happened to him. Imagine the testimony that emerged as people received unexpected restitution.

Giving has always been far more than a financial transaction. It is one of God's ways of revealing His heart through His people.

Personally, I have found giving to be one of the most joyful things a believer can do. There is a unique peace that comes from blessing people who cannot repay you, promote you, or even contact you to say thank you. In those moments, your reward rests entirely with the Lord and for that reason, I have seen His faithfulness repeatedly.

He has supplied my needs according to His riches in glory. I have never lacked life, food or clothing. Three things every minister needs in order to continue ministering.

So let me challenge you. Involve God in your giving.

There may be someone in Iran who needs support, but you have never asked God. There may be a struggling family in your neighbourhood whose situation could change completely if you simply asked God what He would have you do. There may be a missionary, a widow, a student, a church planter, or a stranger whom God intends to bless through you.

Ask Him.

Then obey.

Before you accept everything I have written, do one more thing. Ask God whether this message is from Him or whether Mwongela is simply typing.

Cheza kiyeye. 😄

More about the book of Philippians: https://mapstage.blogspot.com/2024/11/phillipians.html

More about the women in The Church: https://mapstage.blogspot.com/2025/11/women-can-build-and-break-lessons-from.html

More about Epahphroditus: https://mapstage.blogspot.com/2025/10/epaphroditus-phillipian-boy-who-gave.html