Saturday 08 November 2008

Background

(For some background to Paul's letter to the Philippians, read thebeginning of Monday's background notes.)

In this part of the letter to the Philippian Christians, Paul isthanking the Church at Philippi for the gifts they sent him. Hetreads a careful balance between saying he didn't need the gift andthanking them for their generosity. Paul had no need for the gift -the way he understood his faith made it unnecessary.

This gives us insights into both giving and receiving. Sometimes wegive because there is a need to be met. This is easy to see wherethere is famine or other disasters. Sometimes we give because wewant to respond to something done for us. The latter is what theChurch at Philippi had done for Paul.

Paul shows us that a gracious acceptance of the gift is necessary.He had no need of the gift, but in order to affirm the ones whogave he accepted it in a generous and gracious manner. The sharingof gifts is a giving and a taking done in generosity of spirit.

To Ponder

Do we need to accept gifts if we feel there is noneed, and where the expense of the gift could be better used? Howwould you respond in this situation?

To what extent do we have to reciprocate when wereceive a gift?

Does a gift benefit the giver or the receiver?Why?

When might the giving of a gift beinappropriate?