Philippians 2:19-24 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.… But I trust in the Lord, etc. These words might be fairly employed to illustrate the true spirit of Christian usefulness, and the following remarks are suggested. This spirit I. SUPREME CONCERN FOR THE SOUL-INTERESTS OF OTHERS. This was exemplified in Paul 1. In thinking of them at all in his condition. Paul was now a prisoner in Rome, expensed to martyrdom, "ready to be offered." One might have thought that in such a condition his mind would have been wholly occupied with his own affairs, and that he would be utterly dead to the concerns of others. Not so; he feels a vital and deep interest in the Church at Philippi. 2. In despatching to them the best man he could find to promote their spiritual good. "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state." See what he says of this Timothy, whom he purposes shortly to send to them. (1) He was the only man he could find of a similar mind to his own. "I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care [or, 'care truly'] for your state." It would not be difficult, perhaps, for him to find men who would go down to the Philippians and preach to them; but very difficult to find a man who would visit them with that tender interest and self-sacrificing love which Paul had. (2) He was a man who was devoted to the things of Jesus Christ, and not to his own. "For all seek their own." This, perhaps, must be taken in a qualified sense - the "all" for most. The millions in every age seek their own, self is the center and circumference of their aims and activities. Self is not only uncrucified, but in the ascendant. Few seek the "things of Jesus Christ," such things as truth, benevolence, holiness, entire consecration to the Divine will. The spirit of usefulness is devotion to the things of Christ 3. In despatching to them a man well known to them, dear to him as a son and a loving colleague. "But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel." They knew Timotheus. He was with Paul when he first preached the gospel to them (Acts 16:12-14). And also with Paul when he visited them, on another occasion, on his way to Jerusalem. He was with him as a "son," loving and loyal. Thus Paul showed his absorbing interest in them. Why did he think of them at all? Above all, why did he send Timotheus, a man so dear to him, to minister to them? Why did he not keep him with himself, to soothe and succor him in his terrible position? It was because he had that spirit of Christian usefulness that absorbed his whole nature in the concerns of others. With his liberty gone, and death before him, he says - I want to "know your state," how you think, feel, purpose, and act in relation to the gospel which I preached unto you - the glorious gospel of the blessed God, and for this purpose I send Timotheus to you, the most valuable man I know, and the most dear to me. So it is ever; a man imbued with the true genius of spiritual usefulness will think more about the moral concerns of others than about himself. Elsewhere we hear our apostle say, "I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ, for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites" (New Version). Ah me! Where is this spirit of usefulness now? Where are the men to whom their own personal and worldly interests are as dross to the welfare of souls? II. A SPIRIT OF SETTLED TRUST IN THE WILL OF THE GREAT MASTER. "Him [that is, Timotheus] therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly." Observe: 1. He was in a state of uncertainty as to his destiny. He did not know whether he should be liberated or martyred. The future of our personal existence is concealed from all, even from inspired men. "We know not what shall be on the morrow." 2. Though in this state of uncertainty he entertained the hope of visiting them shortly. "I trust... I myself shall come shortly." This was natural. It not only implied a deliverance from his horrible position, but the gratification of renewing old and tender associations. 3. This hope he entertained in subjection to the Divine will. I do not know my future, but I trust in the Lord. I do hope to visit you "shortly." I should like once more to be amongst you; I trust I shall; but my trust is in submission to the Divine will. Herein he acted according to the directions of St. James: "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will" (James 4:15). CONCLUSION. Such is the spirit of Christian usefulness, a spirit that regards the soul-interests of men as supreme, and that makes all hopes and calculations of the future subject to the Divine will. - D.T. Parallel Verses KJV: But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. |
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