“Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you. For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.”
Philippians 2:19-30 CSB

Proven character. What is character? Character is defined on dictionary.com as: “the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing; moral or ethical quality.” How is character proven? Paul writes to the church at Philippi that he will be sending Timothy, whose character is known to them, to serve along side them. Timothy’s character was proven through his service with Paul in the gospel ministry.

The first thing here is that Paul had taken Timothy as one to serve along side him, that Timothy may grow in his faith and in his ability to lead and serve others. Each of us have people whom have been placed in our lives to help us grow in our faith and in our giftedness. I can look back over my life and see various people at different times and in multiple places that The Lord used to draw me closer to Him, to grow my desire to know Him more, to deepen my commitment to Him, and to learn how to best use the gifts with which The Holy Spirit had equipped me. Pastors, Bible teachers, deacon’s wives, friends, camp leaders. In churches, homes, camps. At tables, on porches, in restaurants and in auditoriums. I have been a Timothy. Lord willing, I will continue to be a Timothy as long as I’m able to learn and grow. That my character may be proven before others.

Second thing, Paul had taken Timothy as one to serve along side him, that Timothy may grow in his faith and in his ability to lead and serve others. Each of us have people that will be placed in our lives that we may help them as they grow in their faith and in their giftedness. Looking back I can see times the Lord has placed people in my life that I may speak His truth into their lives, whether or not they chose to listen. Some were students at various times and places we have served. Some were adult friends. Even now, my children. I am to be a Paul. Sharing God’s Truth and Love with those He has placed in my life to pour into. This doesn’t look like having people that do things the exact same way as I do them. It means that I instill Biblical values into their lives, sharing my convictions, beliefs and faith that they may grow in their relationship with Christ and with His church.

Third, neither Paul nor Timothy were yes men. In the kind of mentor, or discipleship, relationship the men shared, there was a necessity for accountability to the Truth. That doesn’t mean always hearing what you want to hear or doing what you want to do. This is how character was proven. Accountability, encouragement, action.

Questions for Reflection:

• Who has the Lord placed in my life as a Paul?
• Who has the Lord placed in my life as a Timothy?
• What is accountability? And how can I implement it into my life? (Look back to Day 1)
• What does how I’m living say about my character?

Lord, thank you for the model of discipleship you lived out before us. Help me to see who you have placed in my life as a Paul and also as a Timothy. Give me the courage to live in light of the accountability you’ve placed in my life.
Amen.