Section 9
the matters of giving and receiving not only ministers life to all concerned, but also brings all parties into the glory of God.
Philippians 4:19 and 20 are composed in a wonderful way, in a way that is subjective, in timate, and glorious. In verse 19 Paul tells the saints that his "God shall fill every need of yours." What they gave to Paul was actually received by God. Thus, it was not Paul who was in debt to them, but God. Hence, God was obligated to pay back the believers. God and Paul were in part nership. Paul was one with God in God's heav enly enterprise. God's economy is His heavenly corporation. In this corporation God and Paul were partners. For this reason, when the Philip pian believers gave something to Paul, it was God who became indebted to them. Paul knew that God would repay them.
It is important for us to realize, however, that it is only when we give in Christ that God be comes indebted to us. If we do not present our gifts in Christ, God will not be obligated to repay us. But whenever in Christ we give something to the church, to the needy saints, or to the Lord's work in His recovery, God becomes indebted to us. The reason for His indebtedness is that by giving something in Christ to the church, the