What will you offer God?
Sometimes reading Scripture is a gentle reminder of truth you already knew, and sometimes it crashes into your thoughts like a bulldozer on demolition day. I had one such experience recently while reading Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
“If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:22-25)
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” (Philippians 2:14-17)
In chapter 1 Paul explained that he viewed his life as one of fruitful labor. He goes so far as to say that his life was “necessary” on account of others. He wanted his life to be used for others’ “progress and joy in the faith.” As a person who has dedicated my life to equipping others for the work of ministry, I tracked with Paul–until I got to chapter 2. Paul goes on to say that he viewed his life as a drink offering. Now a drink offering in the Old Testament was a supplemental offering that was made alongside other offerings. That's when it hit me. Paul is saying that all of his running, all of his exertion, all of his labor is a supplemental offering. The main offering will be the Philippians who will be presented to God as blameless and innocent sacrifices without blemish. This echoes what Paul says in chapter 1.
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)
Paul looked forward to the Day of Christ and saw the faithful Philippians being offered to God and he thought, “That is my primary offering. My life is supplemental to that offering.” That way of thinking has blown me away. I don’t know about you, but I have always viewed my own life as my primary offering to God. I have viewed the fruit of my labor as supplemental. If others are helped by my life along the way, then that is a bonus. Paul seems to be saying, “It’s not a bonus; it is everything!” If the Philippians are not “holding fast to the word of life” at the end, then Paul’s running and labor will have been in vain. The faith of others is everything to Paul. Oh, that it would be everything to me!
May God grant me the ability to be poured out for the faith of others. For the faith of my wife. For the faith of my children. For the faith of my coworkers. For the faith of my church. As long as my life is necessary for the sake of others’ progress and joy in the faith, then let me live. If not, then I am ready to go home and see Jesus for that is far better. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
