Philippians 2

[19] But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. [20]For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. [21]For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

Paul praises Timothy greatly here. But by comparison Paul is putting down some good men. He is saying they don't quite measure up. I expect I would not measure up in his eyes. Paul was a hard man to please it seems.

But I think I know what he feels like. When I was Cubmaster for my son's pack, I did that for four years, each year I would recruit den leaders, usually from the parents. I demanded that they commit to one year. A lot of parents wanted to help but I wanted to know they would be regular. I did not want to have to wonder who would be there to help me each week. Others could come and participate and many did. But I would not appoint you to den leader unless you had a long term commitment.

One man, a very good man, quit after the first year. He felt like the commitment was too much. I am not sure it was his work or his wife that made him want to quit. Later at a party he explained to me that I was too hard. I set the bar too high for commitment. I don't think he understood it from my position. I tried to apologize for hurting his feelings but I did not think I would have ever done it any differently.

Paul too, I'm sure, wanted to expect his helpers to be ready at any time, not distracted by other interests. He wanted to know who would be there each time they met. I think I can at least partly understand Paul's position. If you have ever taken on a leadership position you probably can too.