DO WE GENUINELY CARE FOR OTHERS?
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Philippians 2:19-24 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul has a great personal connection with the believers at Philippi. He proves this by his desire to send Timothy to them. Timothy is Paul’s closest companion. Many say Timothy was Paul’s spiritual son.
Paul notes that Timothy is one “who genuinely cares about your welfare.” Timothy had great concern for the believers just like Paul had. Then Paul lets us know “all the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.”
It is sad to see that in Paul’s day there were some leaders in the church who cared more for themselves than they did the believers. This is still true today. There are those who seem to be more interested in their personal status, popularity, or pocketbook than the spiritual condition of the believers.
Paul proved his deep care for them by his willingness to send Timothy. He was willing to sacrifice time with his dear friend for the benefit of others.
Are we willing to sacrifice our comfort for the benefit of others? Jesus and Paul demonstrated in their lives that sacrifice for others was the choice to be a true believer.
I want my life to benefit others more than it benefits me.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me today to look for others that I can serve. Help me to follow Jesus by serving others.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
I want my life to be marked by service.