For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

4:15   And you yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

Paul began this book with a thankful attitude, beginning in verse 5, speaking of the Philippians partnership with him in the gospel from the very start!

1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

As I mentioned in an earlier post in discussing a different matter, a cursory review of the times the Philippians assisted Paul in his journeys, or in his trials, could be detailed as follows

• When he left the Philippian church the first time
• Twice while he was in Thessalonica (see next verse)
• At least once in Corinth
• At least once in prison (the core reason for writing the Philippians)

But note the strength of Paul’s resolve in his mission work.

From a purely theoretical perspective, when Paul entered a new area and started a church, providing the life giving message to the lost, it would seem obvious that gifts would flow to Paul to encourage him on in spreading the gospel. Yet the only church that entered into this was a small church that began near a river with some womenfolk!

Paul had no real support! Paul sought it not – I am getting ahead of myself here – , but as is evident in this letter, the gifts were more than a simple transaction of assets, a transfer of funding, a contractual obligation that was being kept! These gifts were evidence of a love for Paul that was active, and of fruit being produced within the church.

One other note that I find most interesting. Paul speaks of the church “entering into partnership” with him in giving and receiving. Does it make sense that the church initiated this act of love? Do you see the apostle Paul preach, (as many in the church nowadays preach,) of the obligation to support the full time worker, of the need to cough up the cash?

I am of the opinion that Paul allowed this gifting, even being surprised that the church initiated this act of partnership. I have no evidence to suggest that any other church prior to this letter entered into this type of care for the apostle.

Truly, Paul had found fertile soil for the gospel to flourish in.

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