Friday, September 12, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Philippians 1:12–30

I want you to know, beloved that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear. Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well — since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (NRSV)

Reflection

Reading this passage, I thought about sacrifice. It was Paul’s freedom that he sacrificed to spread the gospel. They put him in chains, which he accepted because what he was doing was so important to him.

Around my eleventh year, my father made a decision that impacted our entire family. It was not an easy choice for him. It was a sacrifice he had made that I didn’t realize until I had become an adult.

My father worked in retail. After college he began his career managing a drug store in upstate New York. Over the years he had three kids and built his career up to being a hotshot general manager for a major East Coast department store chain. Being a hotshot is great. There’s money, success, even a dart board in the break room with his picture on it. It also meant moving — a lot. Before I turned eleven, we had moved back and forth across New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania numerous times. When we finally settled in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he had had enough. When the store wanted to move us back to Buffalo, he told them no and walked away from this very lucrative job.

He started over at the bottom, selling ads for a free newspaper. He later took a job working for another department store that was located ninety minutes from home. We never knew of the sacrifices he made in pay and travel. My parents still provided everything we needed. We still had birthdays and Christmas mornings. They never let on how hard it was to sacrifice for something important. I appreciate and love them more as a result.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving hope to those who give so much and expect so little in return.

Amen.

Written by Matthew Murphy, Director of IT and Systems

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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