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selfless servants

Philippians 2:19-30 (JDV)
Philippians 2:19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you.
Philippians 2:20 You see, I have no one else of like disposition who will genuinely care about your interests;
Philippians 2:21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.
Philippians 2:23 For this reason, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
Philippians 2:24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
Philippians 2:25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus – my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, as well as your missionary and servant to my need –
Philippians 2:26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.
Philippians 2:27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Philippians 2:28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious.
Philippians 2:29 For this reason, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor,
Philippians 2:30 because he came close to death for the achievement of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

selfless servants

Paul had told the Philippians that they should have the same attitude as Christ, who “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (2:8). He put us ahead of himself. Now, Paul gets the chance to brag about two of his fellow missionaries, who demonstrated this kind of selfless obedience as partners with Paul in his ministry. Timothy is commended because he genuinely cares for the interest of the churches. Epaphroditus remained committed to his mission even after he became deathly ill. These are the kind of servants who make their master proud, because they understand his heart.

Lord, give us the heart of selfless servants, putting your mission and your flock first.

See also

https://commandsofchrist.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/chapter-13-forget-your-fears/