When looking at scriptural examples that teach us service in the church you will be hard pressed to find a better role model than Timothy. In Philippians 2 we find a wonderful accolade: “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (vss. 19-20). “No one like him.” Image that. Of all the co-workers Paul had he said of Timothy, “I have no one like him.” That is high praise!
            Why did Paul choose Timothy for the job of traveling from Rome to Philippi? Why not choose Timothy? Paul had many great associates in his work. Of the ones he had with him at the time no one was better than Timothy. No one was better in terms of the genuine interest Timothy took in others.
            There are different styles of leadership. Some are interested mainly in themselves; they live to be admired, even if they are not so bold as to say so. Paul knew that, as a general rule, people look out for their own interests: “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 2:21). Timothy had escaped that narrow mindset.
            Do you know any Timothy’s in your world? Take notice of those kinds of brethren as good role models. Be on the alert for those who do not strut their way into leadership with exalted opinions of themselves. They happily pick up after others. They are not offended if no one asks about them because they are too busy asking about others. They are committed to the well-being of others. Watch them. Learn how they think, how they talk, how they listen, how they act, and how they react. Learn how they love others and follow their example!
            There are few realities as disabling and disheartening in a congregation as when we lack workers who really care for others. Is it difficult to find willing hands to help when needs arise in the church? When teachers are needed for the various classes are they easy to find, or is it like pulling teeth? Is evangelism still seen as just the preacher’s job? Are there wayward church members, but hardly anybody seems to notice? Are there homes that are disintegrating, but we don’t see outside our own walls?
            We can put ourselves to the test in this matter. Are we sympathetic and responsive to the needs of others? Are we putting the things of Jesus ahead of ourselves? Are we prone to care deeply for others, especially for each individual member of the body here at Mabelvale?
            Timothy had proven his worth by serving with Paul: “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also” (Phil. 2:22-24). I know a few children who do what their fathers do or did vocationally. In my own case my two sons both preach the gospel in different states. Timothy learned Christianity at the feet of Paul, as a son learns from his father. Paul was Timothy’s spiritual “father” in the sense of having taught him the gospel, but also in the sense of showing him the ropes, as it were. Timothy had proved his character but no longer needed to do so at this point. In this sense Timothy had proved himself by being likeminded with Jesus and with Paul in the gospel, alongside whom he served for so many years. It was “like father, like son.”
            The ability to work with others means the life or death of a congregation. In this area we are challenged by Satan who all too often finds this to be our Achille’s heal! Where you have a Diotrephes rather than a Timothy you have a problem! Those who love to have the pre-eminence will be in the church, but will do the church no service! They will serve only themselves! That is not soundness, that is sin! Let’s live, breathe, love and work as servants. Let’s learn from Paul and Timothy to be servants of Christ Jesus!