The interests of Jesus Christ

"I hope in the Lord Jesus to send you Timothy soon ... For I have no one who is animated with the same feeling with me to have a sincere concern for what concerns you ; indeed, all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." Philippians 2. 19-21

Paul kept very strong links with the assemblies he had formed. If he could not revisit them, he sent them a delegate to get news of them.

Imprisoned in Rome, Paul received a gift from the Philippians through Epaphroditus. The latter then returns to Philippi, bearer of the letter. Paul informs them that he wants to send them Timothy as soon as possible to encourage them and receive, in turn, news of the assembly. In this great city of Rome, nobody was willing to make this round trip, except ... Timothy !

Our own interests : our business, our professional success, the search for greater material security for the future, the concern for all that concerns our health, the training of our children ... the list of our interests could still be to lengthen many legitimate concerns, and to be supplemented by the needs we create and devour our time and energy.

What remains of our time, our energy, our goods to devote to the interests of Jesus Christ ? Yet, these are still there :

- In our personal life : our spiritual growth, in a greater proximity with him.

- In our family life : a greater love for our loved ones, spouse, and children ; an education of these in the discipline of the Lord, a home that is a bright light for all who enter it.

- In our professional life : a clear testimony in the midst of a world that despises God.

But the interests of Jesus Christ also concern the family of God, the Church that he loves and nourishes. For us to take them to heart, we must have some of the love that Jesus has for those who make up this Church. It was this feeling that led Paul and Timothy to sincerely care about the situation of the Philippians, but also, let us be sure, of all the other assemblies they knew (2 Corinthians 11:28).

What case do we make of the interests of Jesus Christ ? With the strength of the Lord, let's put the love and service of his people above our personal interests.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)