A fragrant offering to God
“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (NIV) Philippians 4:14-18
It is very difficult in our world today to participate in the work of God when it comes to suffering with other believers who are more troubled than we are. The word of God says that to everyone God gave a measure of Faith. This means that some of us who have judiciously utilised our faith by adding some virtues to it tend to stand the chance of sticking, a bit longer in difficult times with the Lord.
There are times one is faced with a problem that by God’s grace he is able to triumphantly overcome it while others can’t. This is why God’s word says we should never forsake the assembling of one another (Heb. 10:25). This is the only way we get to know the problems of the other believers and offer possible help.
The little support we can give based on the specific problems presented by a brother or sister is like a fragrant offering that rises to God. In Paul’s ministry on earth, he acknowledged the people that always shared in his suffering through the many supports that they offered him. God desires that we give off every support we can to our brethren in the Lord; no wonder He said as long as you have the opportunity do good unto all men, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD (Galatians 6:10). Those of us who are blessed to have other believers share in our suffering, must pray for them and thank God for their lives each day. In Philippians 4:18, we see how Paul described their help in his suffering:…they are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
That is to say that God is pleased when we share in the suffering of one another. It is the sure way of strengthening one another to face challenges in the world as we learn from the experiences of others who have been victorious through the strength and power of our Lord Jesus Christ.