Philippians 4:10 | Pastor Jerry A. Burns
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. — Philippians 4:10
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Paul now turns to the support this church had given him. He rejoiced in the Lord greatly because their care for him had flourished again. This was not a new burden suddenly created in them-they had always cared, but they had lacked opportunity.
Paul describes their renewed support like a plant springing back to life, breaking through the soil again. Years earlier, this church had supported him in his missionary work, but for reasons not stated, that support had ceased for a time. Now it had revived. Their heart to help had always been there, but the open door had not. The distance between Philippi and Rome was great, and opportunity had been lacking. But now, through Epaphroditus, their care had reached Paul again.
It is a good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men
discontented even under favourable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fulness and
prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.