Philippians 2:19-24 GR 629

As you read this passage, you may sense a small amount of exasperation as Paul writes these verses. He is giving his very life for the ministry of the gospel, but others are so taken up with their own self-interests that they can't give themselves to such a ministry. But Timothy is unique. Everyone else is absorbed in their own interests, but he has the interests of others at heart. When we become taken up with ourselves, our service for Jesus Christ suffers; when we are seeking our own interests, we are not thinking of the interests of Christ. Timothy is a man who is willing to make sacrifices for the service of Jesus Christ. Everyone else seeks their own interests. Rather than being concerned about how this will affect the gospel of Jesus Christ, the others are concerned about how it will affect them. Unfortunately, it is easy to become twisted and distorted in our concerns.