Read: Philippians 2:19–22
Background
Paul wrote Philippians from prison (Acts 28:16). During that difficult time, Timothy was helping care for him (c/w Rom. 16:21). Yet Paul was willing to send Timothy away to Philippi because he cared deeply about the spiritual condition of the church. Even in prison, Paul’s concern was for others.
Paul wrote, “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you” (Phil. 2:19). This is a good example for us to follow, since Paul was not placing his confidence in the Roman legal system, the Roman government, some human solution, or the people around him, but in the Lord.
And why was Paul sending Timothy to the Philippian church? He wanted to know how they were doing. He cared so much about them that news of their state would have comforted him (v. 19). And that care is our focus today.
Where's the Care?
Neighbors sometimes don't care about their barking dogs, loud music, or all-night parties. Leaders enrich themselves while ordinary people struggle. Politicians send young people into wars while protecting their own sons and daughters. Families and friends sometimes think more of their own needs than ours. David once cried, “no man cared for my soul” (Ps. 142:4) showing us that as human beings, we long to be cared about.
Selfishness Is Our Default State
Selfishness comes naturally to fallen people. That's why Paul writes in Philippians 2:4 that the brethren ought not to look only on their own things, but also on the things of others. Paul also wrote to the Corinthians in 10:24 the same truth. Our flesh is naturally selfish. Some even enter ministry for selfish reasons (Phil. 3:19), unlike true shepherds who genuinely care for God’s people (John 10:12; Eph. 4:11–12).
And if we are honest, sometimes we do the same thing. We get wrapped up in our own happiness, schedules, and problems that we don't care about others. We can slowly become careless toward the struggles of people around us. That's why the Lord repeatedly calls His people to stop looking only at themselves and look at others' problems, and to “bear ye one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2), meaning another person’s good and welfare. Left to ourselves, we naturally drift self-ward, which is why we continually need the Lord to shape our hearts and teach us to care as He cares.
How Can We Naturally Care for Others?
Paul said Timothy would “naturally care” for the Philippians. Timothy had served closely with Paul “as a son with the father” (Phil. 2:20–22). Timothy learned Paul’s heart by laboring beside him, watching him minister, and seeing his burden for people. God used that relationship to shape Timothy into a caring servant as well.
In a far greater and perfect way, Jesus Christ reveals the heart of the Father. The Lord cared so much that "he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
The cross settles the question forever: God cares. He even told us to cast our cares upon Him because “he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). When you feel grief because no one seems to care, remember: the Lord cares. And that's one reason why heaven will be so wonderful — because we will finally be in a place where selfishness, neglect, and coldness are gone forever. So, in a way, seeing so much lack of care in the world helps us appreciate God and heaven so much more.
Finally, as believers, we should learn to care for others too. In a cold world, even simple acts of patience, burden-bearing, and thoughtfulness may point people toward Christ.
