"Ye have well done" (Phil. 4:14).

This was a precious commendation of the Philippian assembly. Paul had told them he was not
anxious about daily needs, and that he was gladly a learner in God’s school by the trials of the
way. But they had "well done" in taking part in his affliction. A testimony of impatience with the
assemblies and of distrust toward God was far from him. The assembly of Philippi had sent once
and again to his necessity (4:16). Paul rejoiced because he sought fruit that would abound to their
account.

There is something instructive in the reference to no other church having helped him at that time.
The New Testament contains no letter of admonition to any such assembly by him or by any other
apostle; only this brief general mention of the neglect. Are we not to gather instruction from this?
Are we not taught delicacy in dealing with this subject, while at the same time graciously and
gently warned as to neglect?

Under law the order was, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
my house, and prove me … if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a
blessing" (Mal. 3:10). That is, under law, obey and be blessed is the order; while under grace it
is:you have been blessed, therefore let the heart overflow. "Freely ye have received, freely give"
(Matt. 10:8). "As the elect of God, holy and beloved," we are to have "bowels of mercies,
kindness" (Col. 3:12). Love flows forth from hearts happy in the knowledge of God’s rich
goodness and grace.

Nevertheless, in the liberty of grace, exhortation has its place on this subject, and Paul very
freely, as graciously also, exhorts and encourages and incites the assembly at Corinth not to fall
short of liberality. Chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians truly warn and cheer the heart, and in how
much they rebuke us let us judge. And in what we may call his farewell words to the church, Paul
closes with the words, "I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support
the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give
than to receive. And when He had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all" (Acts
20:35).

This exhortation is written specially to encourage more giving by assemblies. Such giving calls
for love and unity in the assembly, and fellowship in the gospel, and self-denial. The scriptural
example of Philippi is not given to be slighted; but in giving in this way the assembly acts in faith
and in loving exercise toward the laborer, and he in turn has his heart drawn out to them. And
hearts are cheered by a heartfelt report from the field of work to those whose fellowship in the
gospel draws it out. Note the tone of the Epistle to the Philippians in this respect. May our hearts
be stirred to this great and holy service.

It is good to send abroad to laborers and not to give only when they come to us, nor does the
coming of a laborer to an assembly call necessarily for help from that assembly. Such a thought
is bondage. Help might have come from another quarter, leaving the brother the more free

(especially in a low state in an assembly) to minister in full liberty before the Lord_however
blessed a privilege it would also be for an assembly to minister to one laboring in their midst.
Still, to confine our giving to those laboring in our midst would surely not be right. It would tend
to hinder going to "regions beyond," and lay a snare for the feet of the laborer.

When we consider the dangers we are exposed to, we should walk in fear and trembling. We are
unfit for God’s service unless we take unto us His whole armor. We cannot give or receive for
His glory but by His grace and by His Spirit. May we love His name, and love those who serve
Him. And may we have such trust in the living God that we shall be ready and glad to give_ready
to share the burden of the conflict.

(From Help and Food, Vol. 15.)