"Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account."

The Philippian church is face to face with a decision.  They see a need, which has a lot to do with Paul.  And here they can either give an offering to that need, or they can give a gift.

What is the difference?  For this discussion, let's say that an offering is a reasonable amount of help.  This isn't going to break the bank, it is your typical ten percent.  "I can go without a coke every day and give that money to this need."  There is nothing wrong with giving an offering.  In fact, many ministers, like Paul, relied on such offerings.

A gift, again for this dialog, is something that comes from abundance of heart.  It probably will not break the bank, but it might.  It is a sacrifice of something important to you.  "I can go without a bed to sleep in once a week, to give to people who never have a place to sleep."

Paul puts it in banking terms:  When you give a gift, or become a cheerful giver, or give out of the abundance of your heart, or give without expecting reward - it is as if God is setting up a bank account in your name.  Every deposit you make to someone else, God is placing matching funds in your account.

Paul is not telling us that we will be prosperous because of our gifts.  He IS telling us that God has a miraculous way of adding to us when we give away.

Give.