One Long Thank-You Note

​As we come to the close of Philippians, Paul gives this final encouragement.

“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
~Philippians 4:17-18

​Remember that the Philippians sent a gift with Epaphroditus.  So the entire book of Philippians is, in a sense, just one long thank-you note.  It was Paul’s response to that generous gift.  But in true Paul fashion, he didn’t just talk about his gratefulness for their generosity.  He used the opportunity to encourage and teach them a multitude of things.   
 
I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “It is better to give than to receive.”  In a nutshell, that’s what Paul is expressing in this closing remark.  He wasn’t seeking the gift, but the credit that increases in heaven for gifts given to God.  In other words, when we give to God and His work, it not only makes a physical impact but an eternal one.  God credits all these things to our eternal account as valuable and having eternal impact. 
 
So let us be encouraged to be like the Philippians who gave generously, that God may increase our eternal credit and use us to bless others.  And may we always remember that God will provide for our needs to the glory and praise of Jesus Christ!

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
~Philippians 4:19-20

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​We have now come to the end of our time in Philippians.  It has been a wonderful journey, full of great nuggets of truth and encouragement!  I hope you have enjoyed studying this amazing book as much as I have.
 
While we never really looked at the topic of joy specifically very often, I hope you were able to see this common theme throughout the book and the various ways it manifests itself.  Here’s some of my takeaways about joy.
 

• Joy is unaffected by circumstances
• Joy is unaffected by behavior
• Joy is unaffected by results
• Joy is unaffected by material possessions
• Joy brings true contentment no matter the situation
• Joy brings life
• Joy is unceasing and irrepressible
• Joy is undaunted by spiritual battle
• Joy motives us to keep going in the race of faith
• Joy stands out in this dark, perverted world
• Joy comes by looking to Jesus

 
This is God’s irrepressible joy that can be ours.  It is the type of joy our world desperately needs to see and we desperately need to possess.  There’s no way around it, life is hard.  However, if we have the joy of the Lord, we can not only survive the difficult times but also thrive.
 
Thanks for joining me on this journey!  I pray this study through Philippians has been a blessing to you.  Now, as you go study a book or a passage of Scripture on your own, may the Word of God become alive to you and may it teach you many great and wonderful things you did not know.  God bless!

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you
​will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
~Philippians 1:6