SMELLING GOOD

 PHILIPPIANS 4:16-19 NKJ 
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  

This passage contains one of the most well-recited verses of the New Testament.  Verse 19, and my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.   

It's a wonderful promise.  But we have to look at the whole passage.  Paul wrote this to the Philippian Church that sent him financial aid twice.  He said their gifts were a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.   

This church had given in such a way that Paul knew God was pleased with their gifts.  Their giving smelled good to God.   

In the Old Testament, the priest would offer burnt offerings on the altar, and it was a sweet aroma to the Lord. (Leviticus 1:9)  We don't make burnt offerings under our New Covenant, our new agreement with God.  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.  But we can still make offerings with our money and material goods.  When we give with the right heart, it is pleasing to God.   

This is what the church at Phillipi did; they gave with their heart and their pocketbooks.  And this is the church where Paul said, and My God shall supply all your needs.   

APPLICATION 

We want to be like the Philippians.  We want our tithes and offerings to be pleasing to the Lord, something that smells good to Him.  So we give our best.  We give with a cheerful heart, and God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.   

PRAYER 

May my life, my prayers, my giving all come before You as a sweet-smelling aroma.  May I learn, Heavenly Father, to be pleasing to You.