4:17
In this verse Paul one again used business language. He used the metaphor of a bank account. The good things the Philippian believers were doing to help Paul preach the good news were like adding interest to their bank account (that is, putting more money into their account). He implied that God was keeping a record of these things they were doing for his kingdom and would reward them.
4:17a
Not that I am seeking a gift: Paul was not telling the Philippians that he appreciated their help so that they would continue to send him gifts. Even though he needed it, the money was not what he was mainly concerned about. You could translate this as:
The thing I am mainly concerned about is not the gifts ⌊that you send⌋.
seeking: Paul was referring to how he was thinking, not to the physical action of seeking or looking. He meant that he was not hoping and expecting that the Philippians would send him another gift.
a gift: It may be helpful to translate this as “another gift,” to indicate that Paul was referring to possible future gifts.
4:17b
I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account: Paul meant that the main thing he wanted was to see them continue serving the kingdom of God, which would result in God rewarding them.
the fruit that may be credited to your account: This is a financial expression referring to profit or interest building up in a bank account. Paul was using it in a spiritual sense here to mean that their generosity to Paul pleased God. Do not keep this financial metaphor, unless it has the same meaning in your language. Use a term or expression in your language that would make clear what Paul was really referring to here.
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