Becoming the Supply Chain: Philippians 4:18
“18) But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18
Paul was not greedy. He did not exploit ministry or people as a means to gain personal wealth or to get rich. He personally sacrificed to spread the gospel. Because of his itinerant lifestyle, he most likely had few personal belongings and owned no property. His citizenship was truly in heaven.
As a result, his support needs were small and it didn’t take much to have an abundance. He was able to tell the Philippians that his needs were fully supplied.
What they gave was pleasing to God. It was a fragrant aroma. It was an acceptable sacrifice. They had become his primary support base.
Can you imagine the return on investment being the primary support for the Apostle Paul and his ministry team?
This brings up an important point. Have you ever thought becoming the primary support for a 3rd world pastor and his family? What about an entire church? It can easily be done.
The average income of a pastor in many counties around the world is $100 to $200 US dollars a month. A church building can be built for between $25,000 and $35,000 US dollars.
I know of a few privately owned businesses that provide the full support for 300 to 800 3rd world pastors and evangelists. It’s amazing. These Christian business owners are not only godly, they are being greatly blessed.
The challenge is vetting the recipients and making sure they are theologically sound, morally pure and financially responsible. Often, it’s good to have a wall of separation between the recipient and the giver to prevent reverse exploitation. There are many clever scams among some 3rd Christian workers. We have heard many heart breaking stories.
I have a dream of GoServ Global becoming a vetting and accountability organization to connect godly donors with approved workers. We already have orphan sponsorships. This has been heavy on my heart for a long time.
But there is another urgent twist. The United Nations and other organizations are trying to close down orphanages. In some cases they place children in private homes. Unfortunately, I suspect many end caught up in the ravages of human trafficking.
Think with me!
What if we could merge godly pastor and Christian worker sponsorships with orphan care? Granted, we would need some guidelines, oversight and accountability, but the potential and timing for both is urgent. Why?
Let me make another observation about our text today in the book of Philippians. The context related to helping Paul through a time of unimaginable persecution and suffering. He was a prisoner in Rome.
We have four factors colliding today making the need for such a program very urgent and timely. They are: 1) poverty, 2) persecution, 3) wars and natural disasters, and 4) escalating human trafficking. In my fifty plus years of being a Christian, i have never witnessed times like these.
Here is a doubting realization; Western Christian’s have the resources to address these needs. A 3rd world pastor and his family could be fully supported for the price of a cup of coffee a day. God would look at this as an acceptable sacrifice and fragrant aroma.
This burden is so heavy on my heart that I am currently in a time of extended fasting and prayer. A vision is being birthed within me. Together we can make a difference, especially if GoServ Global can continue our current practice of delivering 100% of every specified gift directly to the need.
I fully suspect that Epaphroditus delivered 100% of the gift and supplies from the Philippians to Paul! There is a biblical principle in this verse. GoServ Global is an Epaphroditus ministry.
Join me in prayer and reach out to me if this post resonates with you! Together we can make a difference!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“18) But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18
Paul was not greedy. He did not exploit ministry or people as a means to gain personal wealth or to get rich. He personally sacrificed to spread the gospel. Because of his itinerant lifestyle, he most likely had few personal belongings and owned no property. His citizenship was truly in heaven.
As a result, his support needs were small and it didn’t take much to have an abundance. He was able to tell the Philippians that his needs were fully supplied.
What they gave was pleasing to God. It was a fragrant aroma. It was an acceptable sacrifice. They had become his primary support base.
Can you imagine the return on investment being the primary support for the Apostle Paul and his ministry team?
This brings up an important point. Have you ever thought becoming the primary support for a 3rd world pastor and his family? What about an entire church? It can easily be done.
The average income of a pastor in many counties around the world is $100 to $200 US dollars a month. A church building can be built for between $25,000 and $35,000 US dollars.
I know of a few privately owned businesses that provide the full support for 300 to 800 3rd world pastors and evangelists. It’s amazing. These Christian business owners are not only godly, they are being greatly blessed.
The challenge is vetting the recipients and making sure they are theologically sound, morally pure and financially responsible. Often, it’s good to have a wall of separation between the recipient and the giver to prevent reverse exploitation. There are many clever scams among some 3rd Christian workers. We have heard many heart breaking stories.
I have a dream of GoServ Global becoming a vetting and accountability organization to connect godly donors with approved workers. We already have orphan sponsorships. This has been heavy on my heart for a long time.
But there is another urgent twist. The United Nations and other organizations are trying to close down orphanages. In some cases they place children in private homes. Unfortunately, I suspect many end caught up in the ravages of human trafficking.
Think with me!
What if we could merge godly pastor and Christian worker sponsorships with orphan care? Granted, we would need some guidelines, oversight and accountability, but the potential and timing for both is urgent. Why?
Let me make another observation about our text today in the book of Philippians. The context related to helping Paul through a time of unimaginable persecution and suffering. He was a prisoner in Rome.
We have four factors colliding today making the need for such a program very urgent and timely. They are: 1) poverty, 2) persecution, 3) wars and natural disasters, and 4) escalating human trafficking. In my fifty plus years of being a Christian, i have never witnessed times like these.
Here is a doubting realization; Western Christian’s have the resources to address these needs. A 3rd world pastor and his family could be fully supported for the price of a cup of coffee a day. God would look at this as an acceptable sacrifice and fragrant aroma.
This burden is so heavy on my heart that I am currently in a time of extended fasting and prayer. A vision is being birthed within me. Together we can make a difference, especially if GoServ Global can continue our current practice of delivering 100% of every specified gift directly to the need.
I fully suspect that Epaphroditus delivered 100% of the gift and supplies from the Philippians to Paul! There is a biblical principle in this verse. GoServ Global is an Epaphroditus ministry.
Join me in prayer and reach out to me if this post resonates with you! Together we can make a difference!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
