A SMALL ACT THAT REFLECTS GOD'S NATURE
PHILEMON 1:13-14
PHILEMON 1:13-14 NKJ
13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
OBSERVATION:
This is a personal letter from Paul to Philemon. He was a believer that Paul knew well. Paul was writing to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.
Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon. He had run away and wound up in prison, where he met Paul. Paul led him to the Lord and was now sending him back to Philemon. Paul is appealing to Philemon to show mercy to Onesimus. Although Onesimus was once a slave, now he is a brother in the Lord.
In his letter, Paul shares of his desire to have Onesimus stay and help him. Paul would rather have Onesimus stay because he had become quite profitable to Paul. Even though Philemon could not do much to help Paul, Onesimus could help on Philemon's behalf.
But Paul did not want to keep Onesimus close even though he was a benefit. Paul said he did not want to do anything without Philemon's consent. Anything good done for Paul needed to come from a willing heart, not a forced obligation.
Not only is this stance an unselfish act on the part of Paul. This is an insight into God's heart. God loves a cheerful giver. Not one who is pressured into giving. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Paul did not take advantage of his leadership position with Philemon. It appears from his letter that Paul probably was the one who led Philemon to the Lord. And yet Paul would not leverage that for his own personal gain.
APPLICATION:
For God so loved that He gave. God was not forced to give, nor did He give grudgingly. God loved us, so His giving was for all the right reasons.
And today, we always want anything we do for the Lord to be about our heart for Him. We do not respond to pressure or guilt. We give because we love.
And the Lord will not force us to give. Even though we owe Him our very life and breathe. He does not make us serve Him, worship Him, or give to His kingdom work. Although God values our service, worship, and offerings, He wants it from the right heart.
What Paul did appears small. Yet it reflects of a much bigger kingdom principle. Giving is voluntary and from the heart.
PRAYER:
Lord, my heart is to freely give and serve You from my own free will. No one is forcing me.