Paul proclaimed Jesus as the ultimate example of exhibiting the mind of a servant. The apostle followed that example in serving the church in Philippi. He was able to broaden his service to the various churches by sending faithful messengers to them. It was the apostle’s hope that it would be the Lord’s will that Timothy could soon be sent to check on the welfare of the church at Philippi. His purpose would be to deliver word from Paul to them and report back to the apostle the things he had seen in the church. Paul expected the report to be good, as he said it would comfort him (Philippians 2:1-19).
Timothy was the one upon whom Paul could depend to be concerned only for the welfare of the church (Philippians 2:20). He told the Corinthian brethren, “Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do” (1 Corinthians 16:10). Paul’s confidence in Timothy can be seen as he described him as a fellow worker, “true son in the faith” and a brother who had preached among the Corinthians (Romans 16:21; 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 19).
Concern for the church at Thessalonica drove Paul to choose to be left alone in Athens and to send “Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Others sought only their own personal gain, but Timothy, like a coin or precious metal that had been proven genuine, was known as one who loved the church as dearly as Paul did, his father in the faith. The apostle planned to send him to Philippi as soon as Paul knew how his trial would go. He believed in God’s providence and felt sure that he would soon be released so he could visit Philippi firsthand (Philippians 2:21-24).
Each of us can make a difference by displaying the heart of a servant. Let us focus our attention on the welfare of others and sacrifice to provide for their needs.
