The book of Philippians is Paul's heartfelt, inspired letter to his best partners. Like Christ, Paul gathered partners, establishing an ongoing relationship with them. Among Jesus' disciples were business people, including fishermen, a tax collector, and a doctor. They assisted Jesus in the work of His ministry, and in return, Jesus ministered to them. Jesus called, trained, provided for, and equipped them to do the same works He did. 
Interestingly, some of our Lord Jesus' best contributors were women whose lives had been rescued and transformed by Jesus and the Good News He preached. Luke 8:3 (TPT) says, "…Among the women were Susanna and Joanna, the wife of Chusa, who managed King Herod's household. Many other women who supported Jesus' ministry from their personal finances also traveled with him."
A partnership is a mutual sharing together. This is demonstrated in the story of the fisherman Peter, who let Jesus use his boat as a platform to preach.
                 
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. Luke 5:4-7 (NKJV)
 
Something amazing happens next:
 
When Simon Peter saw this astonishing miracle, he knelt at Jesus' feet and begged him, "Go away from me, Master, for I am a sinful man!" Simon Peter and the other fishermen—including his fishing partners, Jacob and John, the sons of Zebedee—were awestruck over the miracle catch of fish. Jesus answered, "Do not yield to your fear, Simon Peter. From now on you will catch men for salvation!" Luke 5:6-10 (TPT)
           
When Peter began to partner with Jesus' ministry, his finances increased, as did his fishing partners.  Peter generously shared his boat, his natural supply, with Jesus, and in return Jesus shared His supernatural supply, His plan, His anointing, and true eternal riches with Peter. He was the first disciple to receive a divine revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. Then Jesus changed his name and identity. Peter's partnership with Christ connected him to his divine destiny.
Is partnership important in fulfilling your God-given destiny? Yes! It is an integral part of God's plan. Partners share in the same assignment and anointing on the ministry they join. Sharing this blessing is the way the Church can be strong and multiply. Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, planted churches, went on four missionary journeys covering two continents, and was passionate about fulfilling all Jesus told him he would do. Like Christ, Paul was comforted and supported by his partners (the Philippian and Corinthian churches) who regularly gave financially to his ministry. "Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessities.”
Because of their partnership, Paul pronounced an apostolic blessing and released Heaven's glorious riches to them.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:17-19
The Corinthian Church was also outstanding because of its partnership with Paul's ministry. These people who started so very poor yet so very happy ended up having an abundance of grace, more joy, and every need met! Paul sent his partner, Titus to continue to teach them about the grace of financial partnership. (2 Cor. 8:23) "And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also." 2 Corinthians 8:5-7
     
Paul compared financial partnership to how a farmer sows seed.
 
1. Be prepared for joyful generosity. "Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:5, 6
2. Partners have a cheerful expectation of a supernatural harvest. "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7
3. Expect "all grace," God's supernatural seed. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." 2 Corinthians 9:8,10
 
Trina and I thank you for your faithful partnership with MHM. We preach the Gospel to over 80 million people daily through television and other platforms. This year, the Word is growing and going further than before, reaching 12 South American countries from our meetings in Bogota, Colombia and as far as Lagos, Nigeria earlier this year. I like to say: "Be the kind of faithful partner you want. That is the kind of partner God will send you." Your generous partnership will cause great thanksgiving to God!
 
In Christ,
Mark and Trina Hankins