Whoa! Others first, that’s an idea that goes against everything we are taught in the world today. It also goes against our sinful nature, which is totally selfish. We are taught to look out for number 1, ourselves. We are taught to be nice, and polite until it interferes with our own plans. If someone hits you, hit them back harder. We are taught to climb to the top, achieve all we can, no matter what we have to do to get there. However, the biblical principle is others before yourself.
In I Thessalonians 3:1-2, Paul shows us a picture of others first. Paul’s life was in danger because he was having an impact preaching the gospel. People were getting saved. His fellow believers were concerned for his life, and they sent him away from Berea by sea and he was brought to Athens. This was an area where they worshiped many gods but did not know about the one true God. At some point in time, Timothy and Silas had joined Paul. They were working to spread the gospel. Evidently, Silas had already been sent away to help somewhere else because we find Paul is alone in Athens after he sends Timothy back to the Thessalonians.
Act 17:15 “And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.”
In I Thessalonians 3:1, Paul could no longer “forbear” not being able to be with them, so he sends Timothy to them. This word forbear means he could not patiently wait to hear from them any longer. He longed to be with them, but he knew he needed to be at Athens. He was willing to sacrifice his own comfort of having Timothy with him for them. He didn’t just send someone, he sent Timothy. This verse gives much evidence of his putting their needs above his own. He sends them “our brother.” He was a brother in the faith, dear to him as family. Timothy was also a minister who could help them to grow in their faith. He could encourage, guide, comfort, and instruct them as a good pastor would do. It would not be a stretch to assume Paul remembered his persecution there and that they too may be suffering persecution. He sends a fellow laborer. Timothy was important in the ministry He was willing to suffer the inconvenience of having Timothy go to be with them even though he knew he would be alone. Paul was more concerned for their welfare than he was his own. Sending Timothy and staying alone added extra toil on Paul, but he put others first.
I Thessalonians 3:1-2 “Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:”
True love and humility will lead to thinking of others before ourselves. It will cause us to be others conscious. In Philippians 2:3-5, Paul teaches us to be this way. None of us are at liberty to live a selfish lifestyle. We are to have the mindset of Christ, to seek each day to be more like Him. He laid down His own life for us.
Philippians 2:3-5 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
God wants us to reach others for Him, to be concerned for their souls. He wants us to serve to show others His love through us. His plan is for us to be His hands and feet here, to glorify Him in all we do. When we obey and follow, He will take care of our needs. We will not have to put ourselves first when He is in charge of our lives.
