The Interests of Christ?

God calls gospel ministers to give themselves fully to ‘the interests of Jesus Christ’ (Phil. 2:20–21). But what exactly does it mean for ministers of the gospel to seek the interests of Christ? When the apostle Paul wrote the believers in the church in Philippi about Epaphroditus and Timothy, he referenced their selfless service to God’s people and their ministerial support of him as a co-laborer in the gospel (Phil. 2:19–30). Sacrificial service to the people of God and the mutual support of other ministers of the gospel are two of the primary characteristics of what it looks like for faithful gospel ministers to care for the interests of Christ.

Sadly those who embody these two characteristics have always been in short supply. The selfless ministry of the word and spiritual care of God’s people is far too often overshadowed by selfish ambition. Additionally, the mutual dependence of ministers is often impeded by self-interest and a desire for individual ministerial success. It would do ministers of the gospel a world of good to often reflect on what the apostle Paul taught about these two ministerial characteristics in his letter to the Philippians. 

The idea of servanthood comes into full focus in the apostle Paul’s pastoral address in Philippians 2:1–11. A division was brewing among the members of the church in Philippi on account of the infighting of two women in the church, Euodia and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2). The apostle set the example of the servant-hearted humility of the Lord Jesus before the members of the church (Phil. 2:2–5). Though he was in the form of God, he humbled himself to take on humility in order to serve for the eternal good of the souls of his people in the work of redemption. Since Christ humbled himself from the heights of eternal divine glory to hang in shame and forsakeness on the cross, surely, we, who are frail creatures of dust can humble ourselves to care for the needs of one another. 

The call to self-sacrificial labor is that which was modeled by the Lord Jesus (Mark 10:45; John 13:1–16). It was then exemplified in the lives of the apostles; and most notably by the apostle Paul. Paul frequently referred to himself as “servant of Christ” (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 4:1; 2 Cor. 11:23; Gal. 1:10; Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:1) and “steward of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1; Eph. 3:2; Col. 1:25; 1 Tim. 1:4; ). This was the way in which he viewed the position to which he had been called by God. 

The fascinating movement of Philippians 2 leads to the apostle Paul to put himself under the same imperative as that which he had given the church in Philippi (Phil. 2:19–30). He would not bind other believers to something that he would not, first and foremost, model in his life and ministry. He reiterated his desire to be released from his imprisonment so that he could see them and strengthen them in the faith (Phil. 1:19; 2:24). Paul’s great desire was to continue caring for the spiritual needs of those who had heard the gospel for the first time. Paul exhorted the church in Philippi with the following charge: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Paul then exemplified, from prison, what it looks like to care for the spiritual interests of others. 

Paul also revealed something about his relation to other ministers. He told the church in Philippi that he was sending them two of his fellow ministers––first Epaphroditus and then Timothy––to attend to the spiritual care of the congregation. This is all the more remarkable when we think about who the apostle Paul was and how he served in the office in which God had called him. Reflecting on this passage, Matthew Henry, observed,

“Paul was the chief of the apostles, excelled them all in gifts and graces, and usefulness; was a prime minister of state in Christ’s kingdom, yet see his humility––he accepts the help of Epaphroditus, who was every way his inferior, makes use of him, rejoices in him, and is afraid of being deprived of him. Much more do we have reason to acknowledge the need we have of our brother’s help, and to be thankful for it. . .We are ignorant of ourselves if we do not esteem others better than ourselves.”1

In short, the great apostle Paul displayed his humble dependence on other ministers. He needed their friendship, support, and sacrificial service. He was not so gifted or zealous that he did not seek the camaraderie, support, and partnership of other ministers. Paul expressed heaviness of heart when he did not have the fellowship of other ministers in his missionary labors (2 Corinthians 2:13). He publicly honored fellow ministers who sacrificially entered in on the work of caring for the people of God with him. In Philippians 2:19–21, he told the church in Philippi, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. . .I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not the things of Jesus Christ.” He held Timothy out as one who cared for the needs and interests of others. 

Reflecting on Paul’s commendation of Timothy, Sinclair Ferguson wrote, 

“Notice the difference between what he says negatively about others and what he say positively about Timothy. Negatively, he says people choose the things of self rather than the things Christ. Positively, he says Timothy chooses the things of Christ rather than the things of self. Why? ‘Because he looks after your interests.’ The mark of the man or woman who puts the things of Christ before the things of self is inevitably that he puts the things of others between the things of Christ and the things of self. In this context, ‘the interests of others’ about which Paul speaks ultimately are ‘the things of Christ’s’ and the interests of Christ.” 

In Paul’s commendation of Timothy, these two characteristics of faithful ministry are joined together. Paul commends Timothy for his selfless service of the people of Christ. However, he himself was also displaying his own mutual dependence on others, when he stated, “You know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel” (Phil. 2:22). Timothy had so given himself to the interests of Christ that he gave himself to the apostle Paul to labor for the spiritual care of God’s people. Paul sets out the rare combination of selfless service and mutual dependence in the example of Timothy. He strongly stated, “I have no one like him. . .for all seek their own interests, and not those of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 2:19–21). 

Ministers of the gospel must constantly care about ‘the things of Christ.’ They do so by their selfless spiritual care for the people of Christ and in their mutual support of one another. They need the support of other ministers to strengthen them for the sacrificial service of the people of God. When pastors appropriate these two characteristics into their lives and ministries, the people of God will have living models of what it looks like to care for ‘the interests of Christ.’ 

1. Matthew Henry, “A Sermon preached at the Funeral of Mr. Samuel Lawrence, Minister at Nantwich in Cheshire, with a Concise Account of his Life,”  Works, ii.362-383.