Are you the kind of person everyone thinks of when they are in need? When people receive bad news, are you the first person they think to call? When they are in the hospital, are people delighted to see you walk in their room? When your church is facing a difficult decision, are people relieved that you show up for the meeting?
We often think of the apostle Paul as a Christian made of granite. He appears at a distance as a saint who needed no one but God. He can appear as someone who was infinitely self-sufficient, but who encouraged countless others. But that is not true. Even the veteran missionary needed people in his life to encourage and help him. He could never have accomplished what he did without the support of his friends.
Paul was in need and he urged Timothy to come to him quickly. It may have been that Timothy needed to sail quickly before the ports were closed for the winter. But we also sense that Paul was eager to be comforted once again by his young protégé. One of the greatest rewards of investing in others is that, in time they may well return the favor. Those who appreciate your time and investment in them may be delighted to come to your aid in your time of need. Those who live their lives selfishly cannot expect anyone to care for them later in life. But those who gave themselves away to others will be dearly loved in their later years. Who in your life would be eager to come to your aid today due to all you have done for them?