And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
Philippians 4:15-17 ESV
I like this translation in verse 16: “… church entered into partnership with me.” Paul is speaking to the Philippian church as a whole. They had entered into partnership with him by, as a body, supporting his missionary efforts. The blessing for this came, not to any one individual, but to the whole church: “the fruit that increases to your credit.” There is a level of blessing that can only be enjoyed by being part of a local body of believers that enters into partnership with people who are doing missional activities. Paul called it “partnership in giving and receiving.”
Local churches are supposed to be a part of the support base for reaching the world outside their physical influence. Take the time to know who your church is partnered with in reaching the world. As part of that local body, you are part of touching a world you may never physically see. If you are a giving part of a local church that supports missions, you are going to receive “credit.” If you’re not part of such a local body, you are cutting yourself off from one of the great blessings of being a Christian. Get in, get active, and let’s reach the world. Be a partner.
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