Philippians 4:10-18

10I am very happy that you want to help me again. I praise the Lord for that. I know that you wanted to help me before. But you have not had a chance to do anything until now.

11When I say that, it is not because I need anything. I have learned to be happy, whatever things may happen to me.

12I know what it is like to need things. I also know what it is like to have more than enough. I have learned this secret. I know how to be happy whatever happens. I can be happy when I have enough food to eat, and also when I am hungry. I can be happy when I have plenty of things, and also when I have nothing.

13I can do all these things because Christ makes me strong.

14But certainly, you have been very kind to me. You have helped me now, when I am in trouble.

15Also, you Christians in Philippi know that you already helped me earlier. That was the time when I started to tell people God's good news. When I left Macedonia, you were the only group of Christians who helped me. We were able to help one another, and no other group of Christians did that for me.

16Even when I was at Thessalonica, you helped me. More than once, you sent gifts to me because I needed things.

17It is not your gifts themselves that I want. But I want you to do good things so that God will bless you in return.

18Epaphroditus has brought the gifts that you sent to me. I have received those gifts, so that I no longer need anything. You have sent me more than enough. Your gifts are like a sacrifice with a nice smell that you have offered to God. God accepts that kind of sacrifice. It makes him very happy.