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SELFLESS CONCERN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17
Philippians 2:19-30

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

 

“…that I also may
be of good comfort,

when I know your state.”

 

SELFLESS CONCERN
 
In the last section of Philippians 2, Paul moved to a new subject. He wrote to them of Timothy and Epaphroditus visiting and gave a brief commendation of them. In these verses, we have a brief snapshot of the lives of these servants of the Lord, and also the heart of the Apostle Paul as he made the decision to send the pair to Philippi.
 
Remember that Paul was writing to them from prison. He had limited contact with the outside world, and a precious few co-labourers helping him in the ministry. It was a great sacrifice for him to forgo these companions in labour – faithful men whom he could rely on to assist him. Yet he saw it necessary to send these men to them, for their sakes.
 
Paul cared so much for the church, that he wanted to hear more reports of how they were doing. That was primarily what Timothy’s mission was – he was sent to give a first-hand report of how the church fared. That would bring Paul “good comfort.” It is a phrase translated from the Greek Word eupsucheo which literally means to be of a good or cheerful spirit. That was how Paul felt - that his spirit would be cheered when he heard of how the Christians at Philippi were. Though he was confident that he himself would also be able to visit them shortly, he was so concerned about them that he thought to send Timothy first to serve among them.
 
For Epaphroditus, Paul was sending him back so that they would see that he has recovered from his sickness, and that all parties would not need to worry about one another concerning this.
 
Through this, we see the selfless concern of the Apostle Paul. Because he loved the church so much, their spiritual affairs were of a greater concern than his own physical needs. Paul was very willing to give up his faithful assistant for the sake of the Philippians.
 
How about us? Will we be willing to give up that which is dear and precious to us, if it can be for the spiritual benefit of others around us?
 
THOUGHT: “I gave, I gave My life for thee – what has thou giv’n for Me?”

PRAYER: Father, teach me to selflessly love my neighbour as myself.

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