Models of Concern

There are two paragraphs in Philippians (2:19-30) which describe men who are rich in concern for others.

Notice what Paul says about Timothy:

“There is no one else here like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

Notice what he says about Epaphroditus:

“He is distressed because you heard he was ill” and “because he almost died for the work of Christ risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.”

And what he says of the Philippian Christians:

“Whom you sent to care for my needs” and of himself “I am confident that I will come soon” and “therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.”

This overwhelming love for others in Jesus Christ seems to be an exception now as it was then.

“For everyone looks out for his own interest, not those of Jesus Christ.”

When a person looks out for the interests of Jesus Christ, he begins meeting the physical needs of people (the money gift to Paul), their spiritual needs (the work of the Gospel), their emotional needs (cheered, longs, distressed, sorrow, anxiety, glad, and great joy).

(Taken from Day & Night, 2005)

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