28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away. (Philippians 2:28-30 – The Message)
Paul commented that people like Epaphroditus deserve the best you can give. Epaphroditus put his life on the line and nearly died doing the work God has given him. He is diligent and committed. He gave his whole and the best to God. Out of encouragement, people always give us praise when we are doing God’s work. People may think that we are devoted and have contributed a lot. We are the only one who truly know how devoted we are. Am I giving the best effort in doing God’s work? Or am I just barely meet the minimum requirement? Am I giving my whole self to God? Or am I just giving a divided heart? Regardless of how much praise / recognition we have received, we have to ask ourselves, “am I truly deserve all those praises?” If not, we have to humble ourselves and continue to strive the best for God, as He deserves the best from each one of us.
“For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.”
