1 Corinthians 4

Bible Passage:  1 Corinthians 4

Today’s reading sees Paul presenting three characteristics of true ministers of Christ.

What are they?

Verses 1-6 is where Paul tells us that ministers must be regarded as trustworthy and faithful.

Paul follows in verses 7-12 that ministers must endure and not retaliate.

In the last portion of the chapter, verses 13-21, Paul states that ministers must act as fathers with love and gentleness.

Faithful

Do we see ourselves in any of the above characteristics?

Especially for us who aspire to be leaders…. or have already been put in position of leadership in the Church.  Or we have been appointed to minister to the Lord in some areas of work and worship in the Church.

When we hear the word “Minister” in church, we would immediately associate it with the deacons and elders in the Church.  As ordinary believers, we feel that these deacons are called to minister to us…. i.e. to serve us 🙂

But the greatest example in the Bible of a minister is Jesus.  During the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples – which was an act of a servant – and instructed the disciples to minister (serve) one another.

‘I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you… how happy you will be if you put it into practise.’ (John 13:15–17)

The last time I looked, what Jesus said was not just for the elders or deacons… but all who follow Jesus.

I had great difficulty in reading aloud verses 1-2….

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

When other people look at me… do they consider us as servants of Christ?  Do they see the image of the Servant King in us?  Are we ministering to one another?

It gets more gut-wrenching…. When people consider me… do they see me as a steward of the mysteries of Christ?  Do I know the Word of God well?  Do I take the effort to study it and to practice it?  Do I teach others?

Then Paul hammers the nail on the coffin… “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”.

Er… I think I do not need to elaborate on this because it is too shameful 🙁

Indeed…. if you are anything like me… there are so many areas in my life that I have been unfaithful to Jesus…

If we are unfaithful…. and untrustworthy…. how can we be a minister of Christ?

How can I be a trusted servant of God?

Patient

When I read verses 7-12, it does put me off in wanting to be a minister.

I mean… did you take a look at what Paul said?  Just a quick comparison will show you what I mean…

Corinthians:  Rich
Paul:  Poor

Corinthians:  kings
Paul:  condemned to die in the arena

Corinthians:  Wise in Christ
Paul:  Fools in Christ

Corinthians:  Strong
Paul:  Weak

Corinthians:  Honoured
Paul:  Dishonoured

Corinthians:  None of the below
Paul:  hungry, thirsty, in rags, brutally treated, homeless, cursed, persecuted, slandered, scum and refuse of earth

But Paul calls the ministers to endure… be patient … and not retaliate against those who seemingly are much better off than us.

In this very materialistic and selfish world… it is hard for Christians to behave like Paul.

But let us consider…. what should our attitudes in word and action be when we are faced with situations like this?

Fruit of the Spirit

Paul had every right to rebuke the Corinthians.  They must have been a great disappointment to him.

I am sure you have had people whom have let you down before.

How did you feel?  Did you react?  With physical actions and/or words?  Or did you curse silently in your heart?

I am not proud to say that when I was faced with these circumstances, I did not react like Paul.  No… not at all.

Love and gentleness?

Forget it!  It was more likely something more close to a category 5 hurricane.

We tend to forget.  We have the Holy Spirit to help us bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit – which includes love and gentleness.

So are we demonstrating the working of the Holy Spirit when dealing with others?

Questions!  Questions!  Questions!

I think you are tired of reading one question after another today.

But all these questions popped into my head as I was reading the chapter and it just gave me so much to think and reflect.

I hope that maybe these questions might also stir up something within you as well as we all walk together towards the heavenly kingdom.

Paul is a great example for us, who are called to be ministers, to follow.

Why?

Because Paul imitated Christ… and we are called to imitate him (1 Cor 11:1).

This music video is one of my favourite Christian songs but it is only the piano playing without words or singing.  Can you make out the song?  (hint:  it has to do with the picture above).  Just something to remind us about as we seek to imitate Him.

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