The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:13-17, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

15 And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel,

after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and

receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”

There are different reasons for asking for help. Most of the time we ask (or people ask us) is

because of a specific need. With Paul that was different. He had already said that Christ was

his supreme provider (v.13); yet, he commended the Philippians for helping him.

Interestingly, our experience in going to Australia parallels quite closely what Paul experienced.

We sold or gave away just about everything we had. Large items like a refrigerator and household

furniture obviously could not be taken with us. We gave our house to the church we were leaving.

Others encouraged us to procure monthly help from American churches, as we had no assured

income from Australians. One church – an independent Baptist church in Tulsa, Oklahoma (a

church where I had conducted a series of meetings) – gave us $25.00 each month for the duration

of our five years overseas. They indeed did “well to share with us…”

But the question remains: Why did Paul commend the Philippians for giving when he said that

the LORD was His provider? He was not seeking the provisions the Philippians had; he was

seeking “the profit that would increase to (their) account.” Paul knew that the LORD would

minister the Gospel through him. He knew that people would be drawn to the LORD and be saved.

He also knew that those who helped him along the way would profit spiritually from his ministry.

So, he wanted them to be blessed of the LORD through their giving.

It’s not rocket science. People put money into other peoples’ businesses to profit from what they

do. When we give to missionaries, we partner with them in their work, although we are not there.

The difference is the motive. If we give to be noticed, there is no spiritual reward. But, if we give

to genuinely help, we share in the blessing. Prayer does the same thing. Combine the two and

you’re really in business for blessing!

We share with you daily through our love and prayers,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”