19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Are we stuck in the continuous maze of our own self-interests or do we seek to look out for the interests of those of Christ Jesus as well? In our verses for today, Paul tells of Timothy, his son in the faith, who, according to the apostle, stood out like a rare gem in a world of self-seekers. Timothy proved himself to be a man with a tender heart towards others and an excellent selfless spirit. He had been tried and tested and proved faithful. How refreshing!
Apparently, selfishness was just as rampant in Paul’s day as it is in our own. Someone who was selfless stood out like a shining star in the universe just as they do today (rare as their example may be). Many put their own reputations and comfort first and foremost before honoring Truth, holiness and duty. John the Baptist understood selflessness at a core level and shined his example brightly for us. He stated in the Gospel of John regarding Jesus:
30 He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 (NIV)
Certainly selflessness was the model set forth for us to follow by the Lord Jesus who perfectly exemplified His love for God and for others. Our Lord’s union with the Father was one of continual obedience, love and purpose. Again looking in the Gospel of John, we see Jesus’ confession of this fact:
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. John 5:30 (NIV)
29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. John 8:29 (NIV)
“Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived – a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will – where I pay no attention to anything else.” Oswald Chambers
Timothy was not the only one being selfless in our verses for today. The apostle was in prison and Timothy had brought him much comfort therefore it was sacrificial on Paul’s part to send his son in the faith away. Timothy was close to Paul and very dear to his heart. He brought him much company and joy. Yet Paul’s deep and abiding love and concern for the Philippian believer’s spiritual welfare prompted him to send Timothy on to minister to them even though it would mean he was left with a great hole in his heart. If ever the apostle needed Timothy it was then yet he sacrifices this companionship for the benefit of these Philippian saints. Sacrifices cost. Paul had led these saints to Jesus and he wanted to make sure that they continued to grow spiritually. He had their best interest at heart though it came at a dear price to him.
“It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God – that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God want us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him...The first thing I must be willing to admit when I begin to examine what controls and dominates me is that I am the one responsible for having yielded myself to whatever it may be. If I am a slave to myself, I am to blame because somewhere in the past I yielded to myself. Likewise, if I obey God I do so because at some point in my life I yielded myself to Him.” Oswald Chambers
Paul sought to display the same obedience and love in his ministry as he followed the example Christ. He writes in 1 Corinthians:
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-- 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Cor 10:31-11:1 (NIV)
He also writes to us in Romans the following exhortation for our good and God’s glory:
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:1-4 (NIV)