Genuine Care

Week 24 Day 2
1 King 12; 2 Chro. 10-11; Phil. 2

Philippians 2:20-22

I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. ²¹ All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. ²² But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

Truths and Principles:

• There aren't many people in the world who truly care about the welfare of the church (or the affairs of the church)
• The reasons why - "all others care only for themselves..." and "not for what matters to Jesus Christ"
• The genuineness of our care for the church is proven by our actions not just in words.

Applicables:

• Be one who cares about the affairs of Jesus Christ 
• It's good to care for ourselves (this is also important) but solely to the point that that's all we care about
• Take care for what matters to Jesus Christ - whatever pleases Him and what breaks His heart

Personal:

• How much do I care about myself vs. God's affairs?
• Have I proven myself as one who really cares about the welfare of God's people?  
• Can people see that I am caring genuinely for what Jesus Christ cares about?

I need to constantly remind myself of what life is really all about - caring for what Christ cares about - doing His will, caring for His church, and genuinely living my life for the Kingdom.  If there's anything that I do outside of what God cares about, then I shouldn't even be getting myself into it.

Caring for oneself is good.  However, if caring for oneself is more important than or beyond having genuine care for the Kingdom, then one is going overboard.  I will make sure I re-assess myself daily for this is an important thing for God.

// Lord, I pray that You give me a heart that genuinely cares for the church and your affairs.  Please guide me and give me the Spirit to be sustained along the daily journeys of choosing what you care the most more than just caring for my own self.  Thank you for reminding me what is most important.  I lift up to You everything knowing that you will guide me.  In Jesus' name, amen.