A fragrant offering to God
“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” (NIV) Philippians 4:14
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 every one 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. This is the only way we get to know the problems of the other believers and to 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 verse 18 of the above epistle, 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 since it is the sure way of strengthening one another to face all 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.