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.

4:17   Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

There are motivations that are holy and their are motivations that are not! Is Paul defining the two in this verse?

Let us remember the example of Jesus, where he said it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that he stated the beautiful phrase of “freely ye have received, freely give”.

There is this principle within the Word that describes the mature believer as one who does not consider his own needs as important as another’s needs. It is a self sacrificial life, looking for the gain of others, even at the cost of his own.

This is based on the constant realization that the God of all has supplied the needs of the believer directly to the believer, that he is settled into this security, that he has faith in God to provide his needs and therefore looks to be a blessing to others.

Is this not what Paul is expressing? Paul is content with the situation God has placed him in, for the context of this passage began with his expression of contentment in both high and low times. He doesn’t have to seek a gift, for he knows the One who ultimately provides.

And based on this faith, this experience, this internal knowledge, he is able to consider the needs or benefits of others instead of his own.

Paul has expressed this heart of the gospel in this verse, being his own heart.

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