Tag Archives: humility

Peddling the Word

Posted on by

2 Corinthians 2:17
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Philippians 1:15-18
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, … 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, … 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
—————
I used to wonder how you could “preach Christ out of selfish ambition”, “out of envy and rivalry”, with “false motives”. Going into ministry is not usually thought of as a road to fame and fortune although it obviously is lucrative for some today. Apparently in Paul’s day, too, you could “peddle the word of God for profit”.

The longer I’ve been at this pastoring thing the more I’ve seen a subtle temptation that can lead to “selfish ambition” and “peddling the word of God”. When you have been blessed, like I have, to pastor wonderful and gracious people they frequently encourage you, tell you how much God has used you to help them and generously express their love and appreciation. It is tempting to begin to look for those strokes, live for them and long for them. Suddenly you are ministering to meet a need in you instead of allowing God to meet the needs of others through you – selfish ambition. Slowly you can even begin to believe you are as wonderful as people say you are. Because you are so awesome you “deserve” things the average person would consider excessive. We could all point to modern examples of ministries where avarice and greed are justified, even touted as God’s stamp of approval.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, was glad the gospel was being preached even if the motives were impure so I will be too BUT, I certainly don’t want to be one “peddling the word” or preaching out of wrong motives. I want to, in Christ “speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God” ministering “out of love” for God and others. I am often, very often, reminded of a little story, can’t vouch for how true it is, that has helped me in this area.

When Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States, a close friend came to him with these words, “Woody, now that you have been elected President, you are going to have lots of people around you telling you what a great man you are. Just remember, you and I know better.”

While I am grateful for sweet folks who will share how God has used me to bless them and I am always greatly encouraged when I hear such a report (so keep them coming 🙂 but if something inside starts believing “I am awesome!” I remind myself, “God and I (and my wife) know better.”.

Stay humble. Stay sweet. Stay useable.
__________________________
James 4:6
… God sets himself against [the] proud, but gives grace to [the] lowly.

I can’t wait to see this!

Posted on by

1 Corinthians 15:28
When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
____________
What an unbelievably awesome peek into the future! God the Father, the source of all power, has invested that power in Jesus to accomplish two purposes – to save mankind (Matthew 28:18) and to destroy the enemies of God. (1 Corinthians 15:25)

Once the last enemy, death, is destroyed Jesus is going to submit Himself to God, return the authority invested in Him to the Father. Imagine what a day that will be!

I see it like this. The King gives His Son all the resources necessary to go rescue His Bride and defeat every enemy that threatens her (since no enemy threatens the King Himself). The Son launches on this quest which has now lasted 2000 years. Upon retrieving His bride and destroying the last great threat, death, He returns home the conquering hero. Cheers of the angelic hosts and praises from the court await but He is not as interested in power or authority as He is interested in the goal of His quest, his beloved bride.

During what will surely be the most elaborate and glorious ceremony the universe has ever witnessed, Jesus will return the scepter, the authority, that the Father gave Him. The Father will once again become all in all, to the sheer joy and delight of all creation and Jesus will be free to spend time (eternity) with the object of His affection, His Church.

What anticipation, the hope to one day be in the crowd that participates in this spectacle! To be there as “the Lamb that was slain” receives “the reward of His suffering”.

Think of this! Jesus was not tortured and brutalized to gain power or recognition. He lays all that back at the feet of the Father. He did this because of love for you and me. That does not make us special (we know we aren’t deserving of such sacrifice) but it makes Him oh so special, so wonderful. What a Savior!

It also reminds me to hold lightly to any position, power or authority God invests in me since any position or power or authority is temporary.  It is on loan from God and must one day be returned to Him.  It is a stewardship – caring for that which belongs to another – for which I will give account.
_____________
1 Corinthians 15:24-28
Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [27] For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. [28] When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

I Did It My Way!

Posted on by

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
_________________
Ever hear anyone claim they are a “self made man”, that no one helped them get where they are today, that they accomplished their success all on their own? What a silly, self centered idea. Their mother, even if she was a horrid one who abandoned them at birth, certainly could tell you she put some hard work, some “labor”, into their existence. After that someone fed them, changed their dirty diapers, tried to educate them. All along the way there have been those who have made their success possible.

And then there is God who gave them life, breath, a functioning body and brain. Without His gifts, which we so casually take for granted, this “self made man” would not, could not even exist.

This passage reminds us that though we certainly had to use what was given to us, the fact that we have anything is a gift from God. The fact that we could work, could think, could eat, could breathe, even that we were formed in our mother’s womb in the first place and were given life, it is all a gift from God and if our abilities and talents are a gift, then what room do we have to boast about what we were given?

What a great passage to kindle humility in each of us but also to develop a heart of gratitude.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to see the light of day, for giving me the health and life I have. We all have struggles and things aren’t always the way we would like them to be but we do have the presence of mind to at least think about it. Some have not even been given that gift to be able to recognize who or what or where they are. We have much to be grateful for. Let’s make this a day of gratitude … and humility.
_______________
Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.