For years, the church at Phillipi was the only assembly that had faithfully supported Paul and his pioneering efforts in bringing the gospel to Europe and establishing it. In this episode, we see the apostle expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the Philippian believers. To them he writes that their latest gift brought him much joy in the Lord, not only because of the personal benefit for him, but also for the spiritual gain it would bring them when it came to eternal reward.