Philippians 2:19-24

19: But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
20: For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
21: For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
22: But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
23: Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me;
24: and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.

*** 

Paul told the Philippians of his plan to send Timothy to them shortly. He wanted to know how they were doing and trusted Timothy to bring back word that would accurately reflect what Paul wanted to know. He said he had no one else of kindred spirit like Timothy. No one who was genuinely concerned for the Philippian’s welfare.

Paul was looking for their spiritual condition because he cared for them as a father. Timothy had proven himself, serving with Paul in the furtherance of the gospel as a child serves his father. Timothy had been faithful to Paul as well as the Lord, for Paul said he served “with” him, not “to” him. Paul contrasted Timothy’s genuineness with “all” the others who sought their own interests over Christ’s.

Those who seek to serve the Lord first, caring for His interests over their own, are the ones to be trusted to accurately judge a situation and bring back a truthful account. We should strive to judge all things from God’s perspective, not our own. Paul was not interested in building a kingdom for himself, or gathering a following to him, but in furthering the gospel and establishing the church that would perpetuate and remain until the Lord’s return.

It's easy to get distracted from the heart of the Lord when one’s focus is on how the gospel can be used to better their own situation. Whether it be social or financial status, comfort, or an easy, compromising path free from conflict or persecution, these things become obstacles on one’s path and cause many to get off course, not fulfilling their call in Christ.

Paul said he would send Timothy as soon as he saw how things would go with him—whether he would be released or not. As he had already said, (Philippians 1:25), he believed he would be released shortly and be able to come visit them himself.

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