Faithful to the Finish: Confidence From Philippians for Church PlantersSample

FINANCIAL PARTNERS AND PROVISION

One of the biggest concerns facing every church planter is the need for money. Where will we get enough money to fulfill the dream that God has placed in our hearts? How will we survive as a family, if we step out in faith? Where will the funds come from? Who will become our partners in this work?

When Paul concluded the letter to the Philippian church, he recognized them as one of his key financial partners in the church planting work he continued to do all throughout Europe and Asia. He thanks them for their faithfulness and sacrifice. Listen to his heart poured out in verses 14-15:

“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 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.”

He thanks them for sharing in his troubles. I love that. This is what our partners do. They share in our challenges. They share in our work of preaching the gospel. They share with us their finances so that they can have a share in our work. He then gives them some powerful encouragement.

They (your gifts) are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)

It’s good to remember when you are raising funds, that you are not asking donors to give to your work. You are asking them to give to God’s work. When they give, they don’t give to you. Their gifts are like an offering that is fragrant and rises up to heaven, pleasing to God. And when we give like that, there is a powerful promise.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

With every gift comes the assurance of the promise. God will supply. He has abundant riches. He knows your needs. He will meet those needs as you trust him. Don’t shrink back. Don’t live in fear. The God of the universe has partners for you that will share in your troubles. He has provision for you, that out of his riches, he will meet every need so that you can fulfill his purpose.