The true meaning of Love

The true meaning of Love.
Sunday, July 22, 2007

PHI 4:14-16, However, you have functioned honorably when you shared money with and entered into partnership with me, in my adversity. Now you yourselves also recognize, Philippians, that in the beginning with reference to the Gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me with reference to the doctrine of giving and receiving but you alone; because even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

Now at this stage Paul must change the subject and defend himself against some very slanderous gossip - that he used the gospel as a means of getting rich.  This gossip was spread in Philippi and in Corinth, and wherever Paul went the Judaizer’s were close behind maligning him.

PHI 4:17 Not because I solicit after the gift itself, but I seek for the grace production of divine good, which accumulates with reference to your doctrine.

Paul did not desire the offering so that he might become rich, but because the supergrace Philippians, like all supergrace believers, needed to express in many ways doctrine in their souls, and giving is a worship expression of doctrine resident in the soul. The giving of the believer is a part of his worship; it is a function of the Royal Priesthood which commemorates grace.

Paul provides the need of the Philippians, Bible doctrine. While as a result of their growth they are properly motivated and prosperous.

MAT 10:9-10 Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for {your} journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.

ROM 15:27 For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

1TI 5:17 Those pastor-teachers who have ruled well with the result that they keep ruling honorably, they must be considered worthy of double honor, most of all those who work hard to the point of exhaustion in the study of the word and the teaching of doctrine.

1TI 5:18 For the Scripture says, [DEU 25:4] “You shall not muzzle the bull while he is threshing,” also
[DEU 24:15] “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

So while the Philippians, with doctrine resident in their soul, provide the needs of Paul from their prosperity, Paul provides their needs in his prosperity.

The pastor has spiritual prosperity and provides doctrine for the congregation; as a result of that doctrine being converted to epignosis and sophia, they have financial prosperity, and they become a part of the logistical support of the pastor whose time must be totally devoted to the study of the word of God.

God uses the supergrace believers in Philippi to bless Paul by association.

1. Spiritual blessing.
2. Temporal blessing.
3. Blessing by association.
4. Historical blessing.
5. Dying blessing.