stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 2:20-21)

I have had the opportunity to serve two wonderful churches as a pastor.  There have been great servants of the Lord at both, and their giftings benefited the Kingdom, the local church, and my life.  Some have gone above and beyond expectations and duty.  I frequently say about such people, “I pray God sends 100 more just like them!”  I have also had a handful of church members who, like Paul said about Timothy, I could say, “I have no one else like him.”  These have been friends, confidants, and brothers.  I have trusted them with tough times in ministry, doubt, and weariness.  They’ve prayed for me, encouraged me, and listened to my highest and lowest points.  Where would I be without true friends in the ministry?

Paul told the Philippians, “I have no one else like him (Timothy)” (v. 20).  This didn’t mean there weren’t any other ministry partners in Paul’s life.  Paul had others like Barnabas, Silas, Aquilla, Pricilla, Silas, Gaius, Aristarchus, Erastus, Tychicus, Sopater, and Trophimus. Paul saw Timothy as his “right-hand man.”  This high commendation came with evidence.  Paul said Timothy showed “genuine concern” for the church’s welfare.  Paul had seen him love and serve people sincerely and knew that if he sent him to the Philippians, Timothy would also love and serve them.  Paul also said Timothy sought the things of Jesus, not his own.  Paul knew Timothy was a devoted follower of Jesus.  This gave him confidence that Timothy would not take advantage of the Philippians but treat them like Jesus. 

It’s fleshly only to take care of your interests.  When you are saved, it’s not only your duty to take care of Christ’s interests but also your delight.  Someone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus but only looks out for their interests may need their heart examined by the Spirit. Christ’s interests (will) are to glorify the Father, expand the gospel’s Good News, encourage the body of Christ, build the church, and serve the least of these.  Someone who has time to serve in the church, help the least of these, or share the Good News with others is selfish. A person not dreaming about and doing Jesus’ interests only serves their own. 

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Which happens more, serving your own or others’ interests?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• As you worship, reflect on how you serve the interests of Christ.  Are these done from the heart in worship?  How’s your attitude when you are tasked with doing God’s will?

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Timothy was a great encouragement to Paul.  How can you be an encouragement to someone else? Perhaps you could call your pastor, missionary, widow in the church, single mom, an elderly or disabled person and ask how you could pray for and serve them.