What one Values

1 Corinthians 4: 8-13

“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”

Some might read into this sarcasm by the apostle, but I’m not sure that is what Paul is doing, no I believe he was giving them a picture of one who walks by the Spirit and one who is walking in the flesh.  I always try to place myself in the story, it you were to be part of this story which role would you be in?

Already rich not looking to God, but your retirement fund, your job or mother, and dad.  In this materialistic world, I’m not sure you already have all you want works, for even the super rich keep trying to get more, but what if Paul had said all you need?
I’m not sure about kings, but how many of us have an attitude of pride in what we have attained, or where we live, the stuff we have acquired?  Paul is saying that once God has called, and that includes all who are in Christ, and we have all been called into ministry, or to have a heart attitude of service. 

Paul tells us they “have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”

In the verses that follow it is clear Paul is not attempting to shame us but to awaken the church to the folly of taking our eyes off the finish line, not looking to Christ but to some object, person, or thing.  I’ve often been a fool but to my shame not for Christ’s sake, but to win the approval of mere men.  Jan and I have been part of a weekend with people we have known from high school, for about 60 years.  It is the same each year the first night it seems impossible to not get trapped in the past, and the stories begin, and it is all true, but it is not who you are today, nor is it who you have been for many years.   Once again this year I had promised myself, I’m not going to be part of the past, and I want to engage in who my high school friends have become, what they believe, and whom they believe in.  I want to know about their families and how I can remember them in my prayers.  I fail that goal on Friday night, but the great thing about this life with Christ is He values people and reminds me to do the same.  So if you have blown Friday, remember that Saturday is a new day, and relationships matter and you have a friend in Jesus.

From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice