Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV)
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

At the time of this writing, Paul was imprisoned in Rome. It had been ten years since Paul had received any kind of help from the church at Philippi. In his earlier ministry, no church had ministered to Paul like this church.

Philippians 4:14–16 (ESV)
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

And now, a member of the church, Epaphroditus, has brought gifts of love to assist Paul in his time of “trouble.”

Philippians 4:18 (ESV)
I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,…

Why the Philippians had a time when they could not show concern for Paul, we do not know. Perhaps, it had to do with the distance to his Roman imprisonment, or the lack of opportunity to send messengers that far.

None of that mattered to Paul. The emotion of the moment was joy at renewed relationship and renewed expression of care for one in trouble.

Paul had made it his practice not to receive support from a church while he was ministering to them. He never wanted to give them an opportunity to question his motives of sharing the Gospel. Even though he taught that Elders in the church should be financially supported, he did not take support so that no one could question his purpose.

In the case of the Philippians, Paul never asked for help. The church simply did so out of its own convictions. So now, even in thanking them for their gifts, he was careful not to look as if he was asking for more.

The way in which he says this could almost be construed that he was saying, “Thanks a lot, but I don’t really need your gifts because I’m content with or without it.“

In a way he was saying that, because he had learned true contentment whether he had plenty or nothing. However, the greatest need that he had was not physical things but relational. The greatest need that the Philippian church met for him was the reminder that people loved him and cared about him.

It is obvious that their gifts met certain physical needs for Paul and he was appreciative. But, rather than focusing on the gifts, he chose to focus on the givers: The love-gift which Epaphroditus brought from the Philippians to Paul is described as “… a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Phil 4:18). The only other time these words are used, they refer to Christ Himself: “..Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph 5:2)

Paul dignifies the Philippians’ sacrificial giving by describing what it meant to God. It ascended as a fragrant sacrifice to Him. It was both acceptable and well pleasing. While the church may have thought that they were ministering only to Paul, he wanted them know that they were also ministering to Paul’s Savior and Lord.

What a wonderful reminder that when we give toward ministry, we are expressing blessings to Jesus, the head of the church.