Devotion #4: God’s Math

Pastor Keaton Washburn

“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” Philippians 4:17

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the stuffing, the time with family, and the football. Amid all the usual traditions, growing up, my church also had a thanksgiving tradition that I loved. Every year, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we would have a thanksgiving service where, as a church, we did exactly that - gave thanks. In place of a sermon, the microphone would be passed around and many people would share testimonies and stories of what they are thankful for. One year, there was a woman named Tina, who I knew well, and who chose to share. What she shared that day, over 15 years ago, has stuck with me to this day.

Philippians 4:17 says, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” Paul, referring to the Philippians’ financial support of his ministry, is commending them for what they gave and encouraging them to continue giving. In this verse, he is doing his best to explain why he is once again talking about giving. As he will say in verse 18, he is well-supplied and supported. So, what is his reason for asking them to continue sacrificing and giving to the ministry of the Gospel? It is because of what they gain from it! It is, “The fruit that increases to your credit.” Like a financial investment with a financial advisor, the word here translated as “credit”could also be translated as “account.” Paul’s point is that giving to God’s work is like a loan to God that He will pay back with interest.

The lady at my church growing up, Tina, saw this firsthand. What she shared at that thanksgiving service was that earlier that year she began tithing for the first time ever. Though she did not have a lot financially, she made sacrifices and chose to tithe consistently and take opportunities to bless others. Over the course of that year, she saw God begin to bless her. She told us that day that though her income had not increased, she was in a much better place financially than she had ever been. It did not make sense. When more goes out, there should be less in her bank account than ever before. However, God had other plans. I remember being so dumbfounded at that moment. It did not add up. How did she have more now than ever before? She understood the principle that Paul is making in Philippians 4:17. A gift to God is a loan that will be paid back in increase. It is like the old adage, “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead.”