Good morning,
What I want to say this morning isn't really about this passage of 1 Corinthians.
Regardless of our circumstances, at some time in this life, we will all feel as though we are serving our family and friends, to the point that we are giving and giving and giving, without opportunity to refill our spirits. Our service to others will feel unnoticed and under appreciated. And our hearts will hurt. It isn't exactly like we're wanting glory for our own deeds. But we just want to know that others appreciate and love us. This is a painful moment.
The answer isn't in getting others to notice our service. The answer isn't in wallowing in pity. The answer will come in pouring it all out to God. He hears. He sees. And He appreciates. He loves that we love Him so much, we will continue serving Him by helping others, even when our service seems to go unnoticed. His appreciation for our giving goes much deeper than any human's appreciation possibly could. And He will restore the bounty in our spirit, so that we can continue to love and give to those around us.
That's all I wanted to say today.
Have a blessed day,
Lili
1So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God's secrets.2Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.3What about me? Have I been faithful? Well, it matters very little what you or anyone else thinks. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point.4My conscience is clear, but that isn't what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.5So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due.6Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I've been saying. If you pay attention to the Scriptures, you won't brag about one of your leaders at the expense of another.
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)
"Chapter Contents
The true character of gospel ministers. (1-6) Cautions against despising the apostle. (7-13) He claims their regard as their spiritual father in Christ, and shows his concern for them. (14-21)
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:1-6
Apostles were no more than servants of Christ, but they were not to be undervalued. They had a great trust, and for that reason, had an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges. And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Our own judgment is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any more than our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men. Pride commonly is at the bottom of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes to produce undue esteem of our teachers, as well as of ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and endowed by him with various talents."
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