17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
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.
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Vs. 17 - “I seek for the profit which increases to your account” - He appreciates the support provided, and praises them for their generosity. The concept of the giver of a gift will be blessed because it was given is not just a NT paradigm. See: “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’ ” (Mal. 3:10) (Side note: in this passage, God is accusing the Jews of cheating Him and stealing from Him because they have not tithed.)
God loves cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 7:5-7) God is pleased when we give out of gratitude, not just our ‘loose change’. (Luke 21:1-4). In James 5:1-6, the rich are upbraided for their niggardly treatment of others. Paul knows the Philippian gifts are noted in heaven, and they will be blessed because of it.
Vs. 18 - “I am amply supplied,” - Being content in any circumstance, Paul is more than satisfied with the gift they sent to him.
“A fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice” - The idea of the smoke from burnt offerings, or incense, provide an aroma that is pleasing to God is a common metaphor in the Old Testament. God is spirit and as such does not need to smell the offering, but it is a good image for us to help comprehend. When you walk into the house while dinner is being prepared, you know you think, “Wow! Something smells good!” If bread or cookies, or a cake is being baked, the whole house has a wonderful smell. Or if you walk by a bakery, those smells transport you to home.
Are there “unacceptable sacrifices”? Yes. Think of the account of the first murder. (Gen. 4:3-15) Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable to God, Cain’s was not. Perhaps Cain’s heart was not right with God - he was so angered about this he killed his brother! Or, check out king Saul. He was told to destroy the Amalakites, everything about them. He disobeyed and saved some of the sheep for sacrificing to God, who was not pleased. (See: 1 Sam. 15:8-22) Lastly, two new Christians - Ananias and Sapphira - offered a portion of their income, while telling people they were giving everything. They lied, to the church, to the apostles, to God! It did not end well for them.
Jesus asks us to present ourselves, our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. (See: Rom. 12:1, 2)
Vs. 19 - “my God will supply all your needs” - Our God supplies all our needs. What is the basis; what is the source of this supply? The riches Christ Jesus possesses! Christ in the throne room of the Almighty God. Christ Jesus is at the side of His Father, and ours. All the Father has is at Christ’s disposal. For the One who held nothing back, sacrificing all to save the world, nothing is held back from Him.
ALL those riches are His to provide to those who love Him.
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