“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but you lacked opportunity.” (Philippians 4:10)
A jail ministry is not necessarily a dozen or so people with an electronic keyboard going to the local jail and singing and preaching, although that is a legitimate jail ministry. In Paul’s case jail ministry was provided by the church of Philippi sending a gift to sustain him. Apparently they had helped him before but the opportunity to help had changed.
One wonders where was the assistance from the other churches the great apostle had helped? Where was the Jerusalem church in particular? When the opportunity came again, there were the saints of Philippi giving beyond their means. (See also II Corinthians 8:1-5) Their help was seen as “flourishing.”
I am reminded of the Biblical admonition which says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) Opportunities to help fellow believers are all around us. We need not wait for a special autographed invitation to lend a hand to saints in need.
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