Housekeeping
Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:19-24
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
Paul has been shifting back and forth about whether he might soon die or be able to visit Philippi again. A person in prison could easily lose confidence about being released.
So, in the meantime, Paul planned to send the young pastor Timothy. Paul’s confidence in Timothy was sky high. Speaking of Timothy as a spiritual son, Paul praised the younger man’s devotion to Christ. Not only would Timothy do good work in building up the Philippian church, but he would also be able to warm Paul’s heart by bringing back news about the congregation.
As Bible passages go, this one might look less important than many other texts. The comments here can seem like housekeeping details.
Yet even such everyday matters are vital. We all need pastors. We all need elders who will encourage our devotion to Christ. Church council meetings, committees, producing the weekly bulletin: these are the ordinary activities of the church and may not seem terribly important.
But housekeeping details keep the church on track and help it fulfill its Great Commission. God is in the details. There are no ordinary acts of Christian service. All things are holy when we do them for the Lord!
In all that we do for your church, O God, whether we are in the spotlight or behind the scenes, help us to honor you and to discern how best to serve you. Increase your kingdom, Lord. In Christ, Amen.
About the author — Scott Hoezee
Scott Hoezee is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church who served two congregations before joining the faculty at Calvin Theological Seminary in 2005 as the director of its Center for Excellence in Preaching. He is the author of numerous books, reviews, and articles, and he is a cohost of the radio program Groundwork, a sister-program of Today devotional. He is married to Rosemary Apol, and they have two adult children and a Boston terrier named Chester.
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