How do you feel when a person cares about you and it is very obvious? I’m not talking about in a romantic way; but just someone who really is interested in talking to you, hearing from you and wants to make sure that you are doing well. It means a lot, doesn’t it?
Are You A “Timothy?”
Do you have anyone in your life like this, not including a spouse or another close family member? Perhaps someone in your church or a friend who you have been close to for years? When I read Philippians 2:19-30 about how Paul describes Timothy and then Epaphroditus; I see especially how much Paul thought of both of these men. He greatly appreciated how Timothy demonstrated that he was a giver. Paul was cheered up when he heard from Timothy about the good things that were happening in the church in Philippi. There was no one else who Paul spoke so highly of as he did of Timothy. Paul he even said “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.” Timothy showed care; he gave and he was genuine.
Are You Genuine?
Not long ago, our family experienced some really tough situations. It really is not over yet, but I thought that people I knew would show some more concern than they did. The details of what was happening really don’t matter, but what mattered was that it really hurt. What hurt most was that we were connected in a church and a small group and had invested heavily in the ministry. We were taught that we should be concerned for each other, do life together and bear one another’s burdens. There were some who did care and checked up on us; but the people who I thought would care the most showed no interest. I really was disappointed, but I had to realize that people do indeed disappoint us. But God will never let us down. Genuine believers who show genuine concern as Paul said about Timothy, care about others and care about what Jesus cares about.
What does this genuine love for people look like?
Slow Down & Care - Give them your time. We live a “busy” life these days. Often way too busy to be there for each other. Stop! Do what you can to help in some way. Let them know that they are important to God, so they are important to you.
Voice Your Concern - Ask, “are you doing ok?” But, don’t just stop there!
Pray - A lot of people say “I’ll be praying for you”, but do they really bring you to the throne? Really pray for them; and with them if you have the opportunity
Open Up - Do they look sad or hurt? Have a conversation but don’t do all the talking. Let them share their struggles and be there for them. Sometimes you don’t have to have the answers. Sometimes, folks just need someone to be there to bear their burdens
Give - if they have a need and you can help or you can gather help from others as well, help out.
When Another Person Causes Hurt In The Church
I remember another situation that happened to me specifically in the last few months that hurt greatly. I am on medicine for a few health conditions and the conditions alone cause fatigue, but then the medicines themselves can cause fatigue as well as side effects. Several months ago, I also began watching my young grandchildren, one of whom had night terrors and did not sleep well during the night. Several times I got up to check on him and care for him. The following day, as well as being busy with them, I was very tired. It was and can still be very tiring. Not knowing or showing any interest in what I was going through, the next day at church, someone came up to me with a very condescending tone in their voice and asked me “What is wrong with you? Why do you always look so tired?”
This is not the thing to say and certainly not the way to say it to someone. If you sense a problem in a persons life, go kindly and ask them how they are doing and offer time to talk or get together later. I had another friend there that day who saw me struggling and gave me a hug because she saw that I needed encouragement. Which do you think really had a ministry in my life and met a need that I had?
There are times that a person does something that is really good and it impacts us in a real and positive way. Then there are times that a person says or does something that really drags us down. It impacts decisions that we make and how we feel about them and ourselves. I just have not felt this way in a long time. The first example is not showing genuine concern that Paul speaks about regarding Timothy. It’s not the way God intended his body to operate.
Timothy Proved Himself
Verse 22 tells us that Timothy proved himself. What does it mean that a person has proved himself or herself? Paul considered Timothy to be like a son, in that they worked together to share the gospel, traveled and worked in churches as partners. They even wrote together. Timothy’s mentor was Paul. He learned from Paul as a son learns from his father. Paul says that he plans to send Timothy soon, when he sees how things are going with himself and he was confident that he would come soon himself.
Proving Oneself
What does it mean to prove oneself ?
It means to show that one is able to do something or to succeed (Merriam Webster Dictionary)
Other Definitions
Demonstrate your ability
Establish as real
Provide proof
Verify
Synonyms
Affirm
Authenticate
Evidence
Support
Confirm
One of the synonyms that I believe is excellent and explains proving oneself well, is the word “authenticate.” Part of this word is “authentic.” When a person is authentic, that person is true. That person is the real deal, and not fake. How many people do you know who are real? If they say something, you know that they are honest and they will do what they say they will do. Even as sinners, saved by grace, we can still be authentic and real. We do this through the process of growth and change.
Read the Bible to learn and grow more so that you can act as God would have you to act. Timothy certainly sounds like he was very authentic. It seems that Paul really taught him well, so he proved who he was. There was evidence! How much evidence is in your life? Have you proven your life as a Christian? Be real and have evidence to prove it!
Today’s Passage
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. 25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Epaphroditus
Now, let’s look at Epaphroditus. Both he and Timothy helped Paul. Timothy was about to go see the church in Phillipi, but Epaphroditus went to help Paul and look after Paul’s needs. Paul needed to send him back to Phillipi because Epaphroditus was very ill and was “distressed” when he learned that his church found out that he was ill and almost died.
Paul wrote though and said that God had mercy on Epaphroditus and on himself. The church at Phillipi would be very glad to see Epaphroditus again and sending him back would be a help to Paul since he was dealing with so much at once.
Finally, in verses 29 and 30, Paul really wanted for Epaphroditus to be honored for what he did and welcomed home, regardless of the fact that he became ill and risked his life.
Paul Was Only Human, Anxiety & All
Paul even said that he would have less anxiety. He was human and it is natural to have anxiety. Later, Paul told us to be anxious for nothing in chapter 4. While these two statements may seem contradictory, they are actually complementary. Paul had anxiety as a human weakness, but he recognized that weakness and was working to submit it to God. You see, God has power over everything in our lives and Paul tells us to not be anxious for anything but to take it to God who is in control. Are you experiencing anxiety in your life right now? Read chapter 4 now and I will cover it soon.
Those Who Serve Become Ill Too
What do you think of someone who served the Lord full-time but then becomes ill? Does the church in general honor the person or do they forget about them because they are no longer serving or had to come state-side? I have personally seen missionaries who have served overseas and became ill, then had to return to their sending country. Churches have reduced their monthly support because they no longer serve overseas. Looking at this passage where Paul speaks of Epaphroditus, is this how the church should treat those who minister but return ill?
I personally have family and friends to whom this has happened and it, honestly, is very sad. Living in the USA is actually more expensive than living in many other countries and very few of these folks stop ministering. Additionally, often, the person, couple or family is actually having to deal with the treatment of what brought them home to begin with. And meanwhile, the passion that God has given them doesn’t cease to exist. People should consider this! Paul also informed the church in Philippi that Epaphroditus actually risked his life to serve the Lord and help him. He almost died because the church could not serve this way.
Paul Speaks To The Church Now Too
I think that Paul is making a point to the church and all believers of how they need to treat those who serve the Lord. They often risk their life and go when others can’t or won’t go. The church today needs to think about the ones that they send and the risks that they go through. They don’t need to cut their support because they are ill. Some of them need to take time to get medical help and advice. They need to see how their medical treatment is working. Please consider, if you support missionaries or a missionary, that you really think about what they are going through.
Get to know them and what they go through on the mission field. Give them what they need and don’t cut their support because they are no longer overseas or are back for a short time. I really encourage you to read and think about this passage. Epaphroditus in gotquestions.org gives some great information also on Epaphroditus.
Two Genuine Men
Finally, think about Timothy who gave constantly without thinking of himself and think of Epaphroditus who risked his life to help Paul, even when he was ill and needed to be sent back to his own church. How genuine, how authentic were these two men? Did they demonstrate their ability to serve the Lord and His church? Were they real followers of Christ? All evidence confirms that they were!
How about you? What will people say about you?
Have you proven that you are genuine?