This is a phrase which appears in Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi; the theme is found throughout the book of Acts and the NT letters.
I preached on this topic in November 2024. The link is here, should you wish to listen to it. https://www.thebridgechurch.co.uk/media/ (Phil 2.19-28)
I mentioned a number of connections the Bridge Church has established across the world. These have developed especially since the cover-19 pandemic.
One precious characteristic of these partnerships is mutuality. We want to avoid dominance and dependence. We prefer inter-dependence. No longer is mission ‘from the west to the rest,’ but rather is ‘from everywhere to everywhere.’ This avoids the patronising, hierarchical relationships that were developed historically. And I have seen these in practice – not at all pleasant!
The apostle Paul refers to this mutuality here:
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” (2 Cor 8.13-15)
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. (Phil 4.15)
I love that phrase ‘giving and receiving.’ In different seasons of my life I give and receive. In tough times, I need to be humble, receiving from others. In other moments I might bless others. The local Church has its own seasons, receiving from the ministry of others; releasing members to serve elsewhere. And this is always in partnership.