11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
Tempting is the thought that Paul had ulterior motives for his praise of the Philippians’ renewed support for him—that it really was all about his getting more financial support from them. However, that interpretation goes against everything we know about Paul.
He makes clear that he was not writing these things because he had a particular need at the time of writing. Nor is he making provision for a steadier or higher life style, if only he (I speak tongue-in-cheek) can get his monthly commitments up to the stipulated level set by headquarters. No, Paul was not fund raising, even subtly or secondarily, for himself. It meant nothing to him whether they supported him or not. He was content with what he had.
For Paul, that sometimes meant hunger and sometimes abundance. He knew that God was aware of his needs. That is why he could write so freely about these things. Paul was in it for the ministry, not for the money. And the Philippians were giving because of love for Paul and fellowship in the gospel.
To be sure, a servant of the Lord is worthy of support. In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul makes a case for the need of and right to support for people serving the Lord in fulltime vocational ministry. He concluded, “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Cor 9:14). We should support those who have left behind secular work to serve the Lord. But, Paul added (verses 1 Cor 9:15-18) that he set aside that benefit so that he could maintain his boast that he was service “without charge” to preach the gospel, so as “not to make full use of my right in the gospel” (vs. 18). It meant at times poverty and other times it meant enough.
There is no evidence to suggest that Paul or anyone else ever asked for financial support for himself. Biblical teaching on this subject is confined to the believers’ responsibility to support the workers, not to the workers to engage in personal fund-raising or deputation. Paul was not averse to asking for other people’s benefit (see 1 Cor 16:3, 2 Cor 8-9). But he never asked for himself.
How does this all work in practical terms? Faith is exercised by the workers and obedience by all other Christians!
Lord, help me walk by faith and obedience, trusting in You only for my needs, and walking in obedience as I support others in Your service.
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