Philippians 4:17

“Not that. seek for the gift; but. seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account”

“Not that. seek for the gift”: “Not that. seek the gift itself” (NASV). “He does not wish his readers to suppose that he is concerned chiefly with his own profit” (Erdman p. 150). “It is not money. am anxious for” (Mof). “Paul's fear of being misunderstood when he speaks about receiving gifts appears again and again, no doubt because his enemies were constantly misconstruing his motives (2 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:8). If he accepted. gift or if his enemies suspected that he did, they were ready to charge him with selfishness, and greed; if he did not, they accused him of making. show of his humility. Yet, in the final analysis it was not the gift but the giver that was the object of Paul's concern” (Hendriksen pp. 207-208). “But. seek”: “I am seeking for” (Robertson p. 462). “Seek”: “To wish for” (Jackson p. 89).. have my heart set on. “For the fruit that increaseth to your account”: “I am anxious to see the abundant return that will be placed to your account” (TCNT). “They meant Paul to be the gainer from their generosity, and so indeed he is; but on the spiritual plane the permanent gain will be theirs” (Bruce p. 154). “More than the advantage which. gift yields to him personally, Paul desires the fruit of spiritual enrichment among them” (Muller p. 150). “He rejoices in their gift chiefly because they have gained spiritually by their giving. It has been. real benefit to them. They have really been enriched by their transaction” (Erdman p. 150). “ Right giving always enriches the giver. ‘The liberal soul will be made fat' (Proverbs 11:25; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 5:7; 2 Corinthians 9:7” (Hendriksen p. 208). Christians need to bear fruit (John 15:1; Romans 7:4; Galatians 5:22; Titus 3:14).

Paul continues the financial metaphors he has been using. He talks about "fruit" or profit increasing or gaining interest in their account. Clearly, he is using these terms in. figurative sense, for good works do not actually gain "interest" in some account in heaven. Yet Paul realizes that the real important thing about "good deeds" is the good heart that produces them (Luke 8:15). Their willingness to sacrifice and give for the cause of Christ, demonstrated. great love for Paul and especially the Lord. It demonstrated continual spiritual growth and maturity and that their love had not died down. God would surely bless such diligent and unselfish Christians and Paul knew it (Hebrews 11:6). The person who gives from the right motives to the right cause is never made the poorer.