Just a Plain Ordinary Man

Epaphroditus was just a plain, ordinary man. The only thing we are told about him is that the church at Philippi sent him to Rome with a contribution to relieve Paulâs wants while in prison there. That was an honorable mission, but he would not have won the "man of the year" award for having accomplished it. He was not a leader in his church; but he was a faithful member. He risked his life and nearly died, Paul tells us, in performing the service he was sent to render in Rome. And then Paul adds, "Value men like that."

I wonder if we realize the value of people like that? It is upon such people that we depend for carrying on the worldâs work: clerks in our banks and stores, workmen in our shops and factories; farmers who till the soil, miners who dig our coal, men who pilot our planes, policemen who protect our property and our lives, teachers, doctors, nurses. In short, the toilers and producers of the world--average men and women of all kinds and in all fields of endeavor.

The world could not go on for a day without these plain, average people. They do not get much of the worldâs applause, yet they constitute the bulk and brain and brawn of the worldâs life.

It is well to recognize the worldâs geniuses. But I suggest, it would be fitting also to raise a memorial to the plan men and women of the world and crown that memorial with our highest appreciation and gratitude.

In closing let us cite a passage from Philippians, "honor men like him."