Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Partnering in ministry is not always easy. It requires thinking outside of our own needs and serving someone else, sometimes even from far away. It requires us to think about our resources not just in terms of what they could do for us but how they could help someone else. This is against our nature that seeks what we get instead of what we can give. After encouraging the church in Phillippi for the way they served, Paul encouraged them that their generosity had not gone unnoticed. Paul noticed and appreciated the gifts he was given, and God saw their generosity as well.

God knows our hearts. He knows our every thought and motivation. When we give and share our resources for the cause of Christ, we take a step toward partnering in the gospel. We become an active part in what God is doing and the way we give and serve is an act of worship before Him. Too often, serving or giving gets pushed to the end of our priority list as something we will do if we have time, but this is not the way we are called to live. Living for Christ should be our top priority, becoming like Him and partnering with Him wherever possible. When we serve God, we don’t have to worry about what’s in it for us or what we will get in the end. We can be sure He will provide for our needs beyond what we could ever attain on our own.

• What is hard for you about partnering in ministry? What hesitations do you have about serving this way? What would it look like to trust God with those hesitations?
• Historically, would you say you have served more to seek God’s glory or to seek something for yourself? How is service an act of worship to Him?
• Pray and ask God to help you serve with the right heart and trust His provision for your needs.