“Financially
Incorporate New Allowances Nurturing Christ’s Evangelists!
(F.I.N.A.N.C.E)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in
the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from
Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and
receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you
sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking
for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I
have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that
I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a
fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”
(Philippians 4:15-18, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself what things stuck out
in this passage?
Two things stuck out:
1.
Giving and receiving!
2. Acknowledgement of gifts
Observations:
I asked myself how were the Philippians
helpful to Paul in the area of giving and receiving?
1. In the earliest days of the Philippians acquaintance with the
Gospel, they gave aid to Paul when he set out from Macedonia even though
no other church supported him.
2. When Paul was in Thessalonica, they sent him aid again and again
when he was in need.
3. He has received full payment and even more from the Philippians.
4. He is amply supplied now because of the gifts sent to Paul from
the Philippians by Epaphroditus.
Interpretations:
I asked myself the significance of what the
Philippians did?
I found it fascinating that they supported Paul to do work outside of
Philippi which is evidenced by places such as Macedonia and Thessalonica
from their first acquaintance with the Gospel. They did not depend on
others to support Paul but took it upon themselves. Even when other
churches were not willing to support Paul, they stood out to give him
support.
I was amazed the number of times they sent aid again and again when
he was in need in Thessalonica which shows that their support was not a
one time thing. Their partnership with Paul in the Gospel was an ongoing
thing.
Because of the Philippians help, Paul was in a surplus rather than in
a deficit at this point being amply supplied.
Interpretations:
I asked myself why would the Philippians
go through all this?
What came to my mind is that they believed in what Paul was
doing. They believed in the work of evangelism that Paul was engaged
in that they took it upon themselves to provide aid to Paul so he could
continue it. They must have seen Paul at work and what he was
accomplishing for God’s Kingdom to be excited. In a way, Paul brought
those supporters on board because he had a vision that the Philippians
became excited about. They knew their support to Paul would be worth it and not
squandered.
It is interesting that ‘full payment’ is mentioned. For me that meant
the entire aid went to help Paul directly rather than overhead costs,
etc. They wanted all of it to go to Paul.
Interpretations:
I asked myself how did Paul respond to
all of this?
1. He told them that everything they were
doing for him would be credited to their account.
2.
They are a
fragrant offering.
3. They are an acceptable sacrifice.
4. They are pleasing to God.
Implications:
I asked myself what are the
implications for my own life?
When I was a campus minister, a young 25-year old girl showed up on a
counseling channel, that I created, who was not doing well on an Easter
afternoon. I shared with her a poem called 'Never Forsaken' that the
Lord Jesus helped me write and counseled her if she wanted to take the
next step to receive Jesus as her Lord and Personal Savior. She wanted to become a follower of Christ and
prayed with me.
Years later, she sent me money to support me financially
in ministry reminding me of that day and writing to me that her husband
later became a follower of Christ after seeing the change in her and
that they were about to have a child. Others supported me too for doing
ministry.
At the time those who supported me,
decided to finance me because they believed in the work I
was doing on campus reaching the students with the love of Christ
through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
(IVCF).
Now as my precious
wife Chandraleela, Esther, Evangeline,
and I embark on a new ministry desiring to reach souls for Christ
through online publishing,
our family has been so excited! It is
because we are so touched by the prayer support and financial
support of those who have partnered with us so far and those who
will partner with us if they believe in what we are doing as the
Lord puts it upon their hearts.
The Philippians supported Paul because they were excited
about how Paul was being used to proclaim Christ to others even if the
Philippians were not part of the churches in Macedonia and Thessalonica.
The same thing happened to me when I was supported by those who had no
connection to InterVarsity but were blessed by the ministry the Lord
Jesus used me in to bless them and help them to come to know Christ.
They decided to finance me because they believed in what was happening.
Even now if people want to support us, we want it to be because they
believe we can use online ministry to reach souls for Christ. You too can finance others as you see what is happening
around you and get excited about. Ask for a prayer letter and pray
to the Lord regarding it.
I have also seen the impact that
Pastor Paul
Bucknell's Biblical Foundations for
Freedom has made including his missionary work in the lives of
Indian, African, Thai pastors, etc. As you browse through the BFF, you too will
realize the impact his website has upon countless lives throughout the
world! Thank you Jesus! As always even when we cannot support
financially, we can support through our prayers.
I ask you now dear friend, who will you
F.I.N.A.N.C.E in ministry?
Dear friends, you have an opportunity to aid someone individually or
collectively joining with others to aid them in ministry.
Ask yourself which campus minister/pastor/missionary
has ministered to you or others you know making an impact in lives.
Then, pray how you can support them
financially but especially through prayers.
You may not be able to finance each one but
pray about it and ask the Lord to show
you who to support financially. Most of all pray for all you know that
are involved in ministry that even if you cannot write the check, the
checks will come from the Lord to support them in their ministries for
His honor and glory.
Get to know the person/s or ministries you want to
support and ask yourself if you are excited about what is happening. If
you are not then there are other ministries you can look at that can
give you excitement to support if it is something you believe in.
Friend, I have learned as we support others they will be in a better
position to continue in the ministry rather than having to always worry
about their financial deficit. Now they can concentrate on ministering
as their needs will be amply supplied. You can be one of them that can
make that happen.
I know a majority of us cannot provide the whole amount of need individually but as
each person does their part, it can happen.
From this passage one of the
important principles I learned is that it is not up to me to worry
whether other people give or not but for me to provide help for those
whose mission is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I believe in. There
were churches that did not support Paul and I don’t know the reasons why
but that did not stop the Philippians from supporting him.
If you are a student it could be difficult to
support those who are ministering to you but you can still support them
by your daily prayers. Keep them in your prayers asking the Lord Jesus
to guide and lead them and waiting on the Lord for the day that you can
support them financially when you get a job, etc.
Please support those you can as you depend on
the Lord Jesus Christ to direct you and lead you. And if you are able
to, go check out what those you are supporting are doing.
May you seek the Lord to provide help and support to those you know
whose mission is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who you are excited to
partner with prayerfully and financially!
Our support of others who are doing God’s work will please the Lord.
It will be a fragrant offering to Him. Many times it will be a sacrifice but it will be
worth it. Sometimes the support can be only a one time support and others times it
can be monthly but ask the Lord to help you.
May
you walk that path to allow the Lord Jesus to use you to help someone
else knowing all our support to others is because we want Jesus Christ
to be known and want others to be known by Jesus Christ.
Friend, regardless of
whether it is financing, sharing in others troubles, helping others find
strength, etc, it is important to remember the reason is because Jesus gives life and hope. It is Jesus
we all need to reign in our lives because He alone through His power can
reign over all our dreams and in our darkest hours. Sin has made each of
our lives darkest and if it were not for the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ who showered His love upon our lives by His ultimate sacrifice on
the cross, we would still be in darkness. I know I would have been still
in darkness. I thank Jesus for coming to save me by ransoming me by His
precious blood to give me new life. I thank Jesus for all He has done
for me using others in my life. Jesus can do that for you too because
Jesus is the Answer and head of the church, chief cornerstone, the only
foundation! So let us fix our eyes on Jesus who is the mighty
commander, King of Kings and Lord of Lords to lead us and guide us!
Amen!
"Financially Incorporate New Allowances
Nurturing Christ’s Evangelists!" (F.I.N.A.N.C.E)/"Who will you
F.I.N.A.N.C.E in ministry?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I
want to thank you so much for everything I got out of this lesson. Lord,
you have shown me the importance of supporting people who do your work
so they can be amply supplied. You have also let me know that not
everyone will be willing to support but I need to do my part. Help me Oh
Lord to know who to continue to support. Lord, you know all of our
financial situations and what we are able to and unable to do. Many
times it can be a sacrifice but I thank you that it will please you.
That is what I want to go for. Oh Lord, continue to show us the right
people or ministries to support for your honor and glory Lord for we
cannot support everyone. Lord, I want to thank you for those that have
supported us in the ministry and help me to support others in their
ministry. Hear our prayers and please answer us Lord. Thank you so much
Jesus for being there for us and that we can turn to you. Thank you for
using others to support the Apostle Paul. Thank you Jesus! Whatever your will
is for our lives please give us the willingness and strength to bear it.
Thank you for loving us so much and dying for our sins and coming back
to life to save us as we yield to you. I love you Jesus. In Your Name I
Pray Jesus! Amen!
You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace,
Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a
life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I
need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround
me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you
love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek
your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for
your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case.
Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!
(Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)
May the Lord Jesus guide you in
His love leading you! Amen!
No matter what you feel in your heart,
know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To
make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him
as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the
Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into
prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel
of John or Gospel of
Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord
show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to
help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches
the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our
crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His
grace alone!
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Express Your
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Philippians 4:14:
"How do you S.H.A.R.E in other's troubles?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 04, 20, 7:07 p.m)
Philippians 4:12-13:
"Where do you need S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(May 01, 20, 6:56 p.m)
Philippians 4:11:
"How can you have C.O.N.T.E.N.T.M.E.N.T in
your life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 30, 20, 5:35 p.m)
Philippians 4:10:
"Why show C.O.N.C.E.R.N for others in your
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 28, 20, 5:05 p.m)
Philippians 4:9:
"How do you know your P.E.A.C.E is real?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 25, 20, 7:46 p.m)
Philippians 4:9a:
"What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 23, 20, 5:49 p.m)
Philippians 4:8:
"What is your T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G based upon?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 22, 20, 1:27 p.m)
Philippians 4:6-7:
"How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 21, 20, 10:07 a.m)
Philippians 4:5:
"What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 20, 20, 06:38
a.m)
Philippians 4:4:
"When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 17, 20, 07:07 p.m)
Philippians 4:3:
"How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus
Christ in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 16, 20, 05:24 p.m)
Philippians 4:2:
"How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 14, 20, 11:47 a.m)
Philippians 4:1:
"Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 13, 20, 11:03 a.m)
Colossians 1:13-14, 18:
"What can the B.L.O.O.D of Christ shed on the
cross do for you?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 10, 20, 11:55 a.m)
Exodus 12:5,7,11,13-14:
"How do you know judgment will P.A.S.S.O.V.E.R
you?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 09, 20, 05:23 p.m)
John 12:13:
"Why should a P.A.L.M branch matter to you in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 07, 20, 11:22 a.m)
John 12:3:
"Why reflect on what happened to Jesus'
dirty/stinky F.E.E.T one day?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 06, 20, 11:32 a.m)
Philippians 3:20-21:
"What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire
the most?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 04, 20, 11:32 a.m)
Philippians 3:18-19:
"Why shed T.E.A.R.S for others in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 01, 20, 6:45 a.m)
Philippians 3:15-17:
"Who or what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N
your life after?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 30, 20, 9:28 a.m)
Philippians 3:12-14:
"How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 27, 20, 11:03 a.m)
Philippians 3:5-11:
"Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N you need the
transaction of the C.R.O.S.S?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 25, 20, 3:14 a.m)
Philippians 3:2-4:
"How is your T.H.E.O.L.O.G.Y in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 24, 20, 9:36 a.m)
Philippians 3:1:
"Why R.E.J.O.I.C.E in the Lord?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 23, 20, 11:10 a.m)
Philippians 2:25-30:
"When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 20, 20, 07:43 a.m)
Philippians 2:19-24:
"How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other
people's lives?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 18, 20, 07:49 a.m)
Philippians 2:17-18:
"When do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 16, 20, 10:33 a.m)
Philippians 2:14-16:
"What does your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R do for others
in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 13, 20, 08:19 a.m)
Philippians 2:13:
"How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 12, 20, 10:49 a.m)
Philippians 2:12-13:
"What path have you taken for
S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 10, 20, 11:02 a.m)
Philippians 2:12-13:
"What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 09, 20, 11:24 a.m)
Philippians 2:9-11:
"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 29, 20, 06:46 a.m)
Philippians 2:8:
"What can the C.R.O.S.S do for you in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 17, 20, 10:51 a.m)
Philippians 2:5-7:
"How do you match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 12, 20, 10:59 a.m)
Philippians 2:3-4:
"How do you respond to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 11, 20, 10:23 a.m)
Philippians 2:1-2:
"What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 10, 20, 11:08 a.m)
Philippians 1:29-30:
"How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 07, 20, 10:51 a.m)
Philippians 1:27-28:
"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 04, 20, 08:38 a.m)
Philippians 1:22-26:
"What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Feb 03, 20, 10:10 p.m)
Philippians 1:21:
"Why D.I.E for Christ?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 31, 20, 12:11 p.m)
Philippians 1:21:
Why L.I.V.E your life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 27, 20, 10:08 a.m)
Philippians 1:20:
"Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 22, 20, 10:20 a.m)
Philippians 1:19:
"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life to intercede for others?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 21, 20, 10:36 a.m)
Philippians 1:19:
"What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 20, 20, 07:11 a.m)
Philippians 1:16-18:
"How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 18, 20, 08:01 a.m)
Philippians 1:12-15:
"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in
your life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 16, 20, 11:50 p.m)
Philippians 1:12:
"How can you feel S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things
are going so wrong in your life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 15, 20, 2:14 p.m)
Philippians 1:9-11:
"What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response based on?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 14, 20, 6:51 a.m)
Philippians 1:7-8:
"How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards
others in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 13, 20, 11:00 a.m)
Philippians 1:7-8:
"Why can you only be saved by G.R.A.C.E alone?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 13, 20, 10:51 a.m)
Philippians 1:3-6:
"Why be C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in the Lord?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 08, 20, 09:44 a.m)
Philippians 1:3-5:
"How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in
the Gospel?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 08, 20, 09:44 a.m)
Philippians 1:3:
"How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 07, 20,
10:07 a.m)
Philippians 1:2:
"When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 06, 20,
11:10 a.m)
Philippians 1:1:
"Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when
you are already a leader?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 04, 20,
11:55 a.m)
Philippians 1:1:
"Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y
instead of a sinner?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 03, 20,
9:53 a.m)
Philippians 1:1:
"Who will you be a S.E.R.V.AN.T to in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 02, 20,
6:55 pm)
"What will your P.R.E.S.E.N.T look like in
2020?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 01, 20, 1:13 pm)
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