Deposits and Withdrawals
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:15-20 (New International Version, NIV)
Paul talked to the Philippian church about giving and receiving. They gave and gave again, thus they built up a heavenly account. They made deposits in the Bank of Heaven, and it was credited to their account. The gifts they sent, their giving to Paul- it was all adding up in their account. They were his partners (Philippians 1:5). Partners to ministries can claim this for themselves.
Paul called the gifts that the Philippians sent to him a fragrant offering; an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Then Paul said that based on their giving, they had a right to receive and that God would meet all their needs according to His riches is Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). In other words, they had made a deposit, so they could also make a withdrawal.
Giving financially is not the only way to make a deposit. We can also make deposits through time in the Word, prayer, worship, fasting, and loving. As we put the Word in our hearts, it will make an increase in our lives. When the Word is deposited in, we can then make a faith withdrawal by believing, speaking and acting on the Word.
When you struggle to pray or are in some other kind of spiritual need, remind God of the times you spent in prayer, and make a withdrawal for those prior prayers to help you- or God can move others to pray for you when you are unable.
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 (KJV)
There is also the deposit and withdrawal aspect of fasting. When you fast, claim the benefits of Isaiah 58, which is the fasting chapter. You deposit fasting, and you withdraw bands being loosed, heavy burdens being undone, freedom from oppression, and the breaking of every yoke. You can also claim your health springing forth speedily, and more (Isaiah 58:8).
If you are in need of something to give, claim that God gives seed to the sower. If you have given in the past, you can call in the harvest from previously sown seed. Watch God work, multiplying and giving you increase.
If you need love, remember the times you loved God and others. Maybe you’re feeling alone, rejected, and broken. God will love you many times more than what you sowed, bringing healing and restoration. If you allow Him, He will bring people to comfort you and share love with you.
The point is that if you’ve made deposits in the past, you have a right to claim and expect a return, just like Paul told the Philippians. The biblical concept of sowing and reaping works in many ways- not just financially. Like money in a bank that earns interest, you have a heavenly account- and what is in it is yours to withdraw. So, keep on giving, fasting, loving and so on-and then know you can also receive from it. Make deposits and withdrawals a way of life.
