As

a pastor, I admit that I did not often view my weekly paycheck, or

the home that the church provided me, or the apple pie someone

brought over now and then as a fragrant offering to God. Obviously I

should have! Paul did. In the past few days we have seen Paul talking

both about contentment in times of want and about gratitude in times

of plenty.

Clearly

the Philippians had provided nicely for their founding pastor. Paul

deeply appreciated the gifts that Epaphroditus had brought from

Philippi. He not only enjoyed the gifts but also saw them as proof

that the Philippians were really living for Christ’s glory above

all. He knew God smiled on their generous sacrifices and would more

than amply bless his people in Philippi.

Today

the topic of sacrificial giving can be a touchy subject in the

church. Ministers are sometimes accused of being greedy. And

preaching on Stewardship Sunday can be a nerve-wracking challenge for

many pastors. There may not be easy ways to deal with this more

positively, but certainly a step in the right direction would be to

recognize that all generous giving is a fragrant offering to God.

It

is a privilege to give! Just as we have freely received salvation and

new life through the Savior, shall we not freely give?