The word of God makes things perfectly clear that God does not need anything from man. Yet, we see that God finds great delight in receiving those sacrifices from His creation. The apostle Paul plainly declared this truth to the Philippian believers when he said that their sacrifice was “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). He rehearsed the same truth to Hebrew believers when he said, “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). The sacrifices of men demonstrate a will that chooses to give something to God. Why? Because love constrains them to do so.
Paul served the Lord in a capacity similar to what missionaries and evangelists do today. He traveled extensively to tell everyone and anyone about Christ’s saving grace. Holding a regular job to earn money would have been impossible due to Paul’s manner of life and recurring travels. However, the Bible tells us that he worked as a tent- maker when the need presented itself (Acts 18:1-3). Most of the time, however, he did not have personal income to provide for himself and the ministry. How would he live during those times? The Bible says that faithful churches provided for his necessities. For example, the church at Philippi served as one such group of believers. Paul refers to a time when he departed from Macedonia. At that time, no church helped him; yet, the believers at Philippi sacrificially provided for his needs. These same believers faithfully helped Paul again in Thessalonica. Paul knew he could depend upon them because they understood the importance of distributing to those who had surrendered to the ministry.
