“. . . And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:2).

In this verse, Paul tells us that Christ gave Himself an offering on our behalf, and that offering became “a sweet-smelling savor to God.”

The phrase, “sweet-smelling savor,” is used many times in Scripture.

In Genesis 8:21, this expression was used for the first time when Noah built an altar upon which he made sacrifices to God out of gratitude after he and his family safely came out of the Ark. The Scripture says, “. . . and the Lord smelled a sweet savor.” Paul tells us in II Corinthians 2:15 that Christians “are unto God a sweet savor of Christ.” In Philippians 4:18, Paul broadens the use of the term when he makes mention of the gifts of money from the Philippian church which Epaphroditus took to him while he was in prison. Paul says these gifts were “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.”

Paul continues by explaining that it was not so much that the Philippians were supplying his needs, but more importantly, that he desired fruit that may abound to their account. This implies that whenever we give to the work of the Lord, any spiritual fruit that is harvested will abound to our account. Paul is telling them that they were actually sharing in his ministry when they gave. So it should gladden our hearts to realize that when we give to our churches or to worthy Christian organizations, it is considered a “sweet-smelling savor” to God.

For those of us who may give out of limited means, Paul adds this comforting thought: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). RRR