Living in Humility

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

LIVING IN HUMILITY

1 Cor 4:8-13

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings — and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

NIV

Somewhat of a strange comment by Paul, and still, this is the inspired word of God. What do we garner from this? Could it be a form of irony that Paul is using to show how the church in Corinth was overconfident in its beliefs? He is contrasting them with himself and the other apostles who serve the Lord with all humility. It is dangerous to think more highly of ourselves than we should, to think that we are rich in worldly wisdom and in spiritual gifts. He tells them they have become kings, which means they think they are rich in worldly things, that is how kings live. But then Paul says that he wished they really were kings, which indicates a slam, telling them they are thinking they have it all,  and are not in need of his counsel. It is a warning against developing arrogance in being a believer in Christ. Paul says that he is weak, but they are strong, and yet Paul is the one who has the strength to endure living the way he does, being homeless in a sense, a nomad traveling the world, telling people about Jesus Christ crucified and of course, resurrected to be the living Lord. However, once again, the people of the church honor themselves, thinking have attained their fullness of spiritual understanding. Pride is an awful attitude to be burdened with. To continually announce achievements, both in the world and in religious matters. We will refrain from using spiritual matters, for pride nullifies spirituality and lifts up worldliness. Paul is showing us that the pure love of Christ brings us into complete humility, being, as it were, at the end of the procession, even looked down upon by men because we live as one who trusts in God for all things in our lives, and give God all the praise and honor for all that we do have, and whatever we do. There is no question Paul endured far more hardships than we will ever experience. But then the world was a different place than what we live in. Even those who travel the world spreading the message of Christ live far better than Paul did and again, times are different. Paul worked hard as a tent maker supporting his own needs while our missionaries depend on the support of others, and most pastors are paid for their service to God. It is dangerous to even contemplate any pride in our service to God, yet so many announce all their achievements to receive praise from men, while we should only be concerned about praise from God. If we look only for the praise of God, perhaps we might actually be able to live in humility.