Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.^(A) Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content^(B) whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,^(C) whether living in plenty or in want.^{(D) 13} I can do all this through him who gives me strength.^(E)

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share^(F) in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days^(G) of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,^(H) not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;^{(I) 16} for even when I was in Thessalonica,^(J) you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.^{(K) 17} Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.^{(L) 18} I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus^(M) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant^(N) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs^(O) according to the riches of his glory^(P) in Christ Jesus.

⁹ I tell you, use worldly wealth^(A) to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.^(B)

¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,^(C) and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,^(D) who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”^(E)

¹⁴ The Pharisees, who loved money,^(F) heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.^{(G) 15} He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves^(H) in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.^(I) What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.