Monday Devotion - 3rd August 2020
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:19-24
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
How many friends do you have on Facebook? Followers on Twitter, Instagram or whatever your preferred social media platform is?
For many of us we have hundreds or thousands of online friends and followers. Yet how many of those people do you really know? If it wasn’t for Facebook or Instagram would you know what is going on in their lives?
Unfortunately, one negative outcome that has emerged due to the rise of social media has been the dilution of friendship. We live in an incredibly individualised and virtual world, which the online world regrettably does not help with. Nonetheless, true and genuine friendship is crucial for anyone to survive on earth. We need other people. People we can trust and rely upon. People who care about us and our welfare.
Paul now turns our attention to two good and faithful friends. In a short case-study the Apostle commends two men named Timothy and Epaphroditus.
As we read the letter to the Philippians, this particular section may seem like a bit of a red herring. It is a very specific section to the Philippian Church. Nevertheless, this intentional pause at the half-way mark of the letter is very significant. It reminds us that this piece of literature is first and foremost a personal letter with an original author, recipient and context. But also, it contains two credible testimonies for us to emulate.
A Humble Friend
The first example is Paul’s young protege in the faith; Timothy. The Philippian Church would have known Timothy well. He was with Paul when the Church was formed and in all likelihood spent a considerable amount of time with them in the initial stages of their formation.
Paul longs to send Timothy to see how these dear brothers and sisters are doing. It is worth reminding ourselves that Paul is under house arrest in Rome, 800 miles away. And his desire to send Timothy once again reveals his pastoral heart. Like any good shepherd he is concerned about the welfare of the sheep. So he longs to send Timothy. Not just a letter, a piece of paper with writing on it, but a person who could affectively pastor them in his absence.
And the Apostle does not seek to send just anyone, he sends the best. There is no one like Timothy according to Paul (verse 20). Timothy was the cream of the crop, which was an incredible commendation considering the fellow brothers associated with Paul. In the following verses Paul outlines the character and nature of Timothy, which we can summarise in two points; his humility and gospel-focus.
Timothy’s humility (verses 20-21). It is no surprise that Paul emphasises the humility of Timothy having extolled the supreme humility of Christ earlier in this chapter. Timothy is other-centred. He has a heart to serve others, like how all Christians should be. He is concerned for the welfare of the Philippians. This is far from pity, this is a deep and genuine anxiety about how these beloved believers are keeping. Timothy was not like others who were only interested in serving themselves (verse 21). Who is this other group? Possibly the false teachers that had been preaching against Paul (1:15-17).
As we read these two verses, the earlier words already offered by Paul should be ringing in our ears;
Philippians 2:3-4:
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Timothy was evidently embracing the same humble mind of Christ that Paul had called the Philippians to take hold of.
The second point is Timothy’s gospel-focus (verse 22). Paul affirms that his young mentee has been a faithful servant in his gospel ministry. Timothy stuck with his mentor through thick and thin. He had a highly commendable track record. When everyone was fleeing Paul, Timothy remained loyal. In spite of the ridicule, pain and suffering he did not hide his support for Paul.
Now this was not idolatry on behalf of Timothy. He revered Paul, but ultimately he was serving his God. He stood by Paul, for the sake of the life-giving truth of God. He was a man committed to the gospel and its extension.
And that speaks volumes of the exact character and person Timothy was. His humility flowed from his love for God. His desire to serve others came from his desire to worship God.
For us as we think of living more humbly, we will do well to remember that humility is never accidental or random. Timothy’s spirit and mind was shaped and governed by his saviour. The overflow of his heart was to serve others. But what about you? Do you struggle to consider others as more significant than yourself?
Look to your saviour. Consider the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and pray for a spirit and mind that mirrors your saviour.