Your Most God-Honoring Character Trait
by Ken Idleman
So, what would you say is the character trait God desires most in people? What quality does He want to see in our lives more than any other? Some would insist it’s righteousness. Others might say service. Still others would argue for love.
But righteousness without humility will result in self-righteousness or ‘pharisee-ism.’ And self-righteousness is repugnant to God. Service without humility will result in nothing more than self-serving humanitarianism at best. We wind up taking the credit rather than giving glory to God. And love without humility will eventually morph into a person becoming exploitative, manipulative, and selfish.
The fundamental struggle between pride and humility shows itself both in pre-history and in the earliest chapters in the Bible. The fall of Lucifer was the result of his prideful desire to “make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14). In Genesis 3 the fall of man and the introduction of sin into the world happened because the first man and woman wanted to be “like God” (verse 4). In Genesis 4, the first murder was inspired by injured pride when Cain’s offering was not acceptable. His lack of humility before God is reflected in his disrespectful words… “Am I my brother’s keeper?!” (Gen. 4:9). Then Genesis 11 recounts the Tower of Babel; people had resolved to build a tower to reach heaven “so that we may make a name for ourselves” (verse 4).
In Philippians 2, Paul makes his case for humility as the foundational mindset for a Christ-follower, illustrating it in 19 verses of text that give us the character profile of three men. I want to shuffle the order this way: Timothy (verses 19-24) Epaphroditus (verses 25-30) and Paul (verses 12-18).
TIMOTHY - To be humble is to really care about other people. Paul said about Timothy, “I have no one else like him who takes a genuine interest in your welfare” (v 20). He sets Timothy apart from his other worthy coworkers. Timothy’s capacity for compassion is rare and unpretentious.
I know a real life ‘Timothy’ named Rob Robertson. He totally turned his life around at age 48 when he became a Christian. His rapid progress in the faith produced a great heart for people. He sold the General Motors dealership that had been in his family for three generations. He used the money to buy several apartment buildings in a run-down, high crime neighborhood. He became a combination handy-man, landlord and chaplain. He has led several tenants to Christ and intentionally discipled them. I loved the statement he made to me one day. “Ken, I could be playing golf all day, every day, for the rest of my life, but I get so much more pleasure out of spiritually counseling, teaching and praying with the people in my apartments.”
EPAPHRODITUS - To be humble is to serve other people. Everything we know about this man is recorded in a single paragraph of text. Paul details the credentials of Epaphroditus describing him as a “brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier and messenger whom you sent to take care of my needs” (v 25). Later Paul reveals in interesting detail about Epaphroditus saying, “he was ill and almost died” (v 27). In other words, he risked his life to complete his service. He was willing to step up in tough situations. He would do anything for anyone.
My maternal grandfather was such a Christian man. An elder in our church, he gave $500 during the Depression years to build a meeting house for an African American church in Champaign, IL. He would dig out sewer lines, clean out grain elevators and put-up hay for men who were ill or disabled. For years, the name Conda Collins was revered in our town. And I was blessed to be the grandson of such an exemplary servant leader.
PAUL - To be humble is to sacrifice for other people. Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus, but obviously does not commend himself. However, there is a word of testimony in the text that is telling about his character. He wrote to the Philippian Christians, “I am willing to be poured out like a drink offering for your faith” (v 17). The drink offering was the lowest form of an offering; so, Paul is saying I am willing to be turned upside down and expended as the least significant of offerings for the sake of your faith. And he goes on to say that it actually gives him joy to sacrifice for others! Then he adds, “You also should be glad and rejoice with me!” (v 18). In other words, he is saying he wants all of us in the Christian community to get in on sacrificing for others so we can experience this joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Really caring about, serving, and sacrificing for other people. Let’s do it!
