Monday, January 13, 2025

          Our Bibles contain two letters from Paul written to the Christians in Corinth. And in both letters, Paul addressed some serious theological and practical challenges that the believers faced in that city in the first century.  Still, the apostle’s words ring true today.  God can use these words from Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to bless and instruct believers today.  We remember what Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  And the words from the Corinthian letters can effectively teach, rebuke, correct and train us in righteousness today as we read and reflect upon them.
            Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”  Simply put, the Bible is teaching us to handle well anything that God has given to us.  Blessings, roles, responsibilities, opportunities to serve and moments where we can share the gospel are entrusted to us daily.  And even in some cases minute by minute.  God, in His providence and sovereignty, gives us occasions to serve Him.  There is a good chance that you are aware of such an occasion now as you read these words.  Paul’s words to the Corinthians teach us two valuable lessons.
            First, we are to recognize what we have been given.  Opportunities to serve the Lord and to advance the gospel are not accidents or moments of mere random chance that have dropped out of the sky.  Not at all!  God has chosen to work through us to spread the gospel.  God works in response to our prayers. God uses us to the degree that we lean into and upon Him.  Paul considered himself “only a servant” (see 1 Corinthians 3:5).  As a servant, he was willing to be entrusted with whatever God had for him to do—whether small or large.  But remember to be a “servant” is not derisive or demeaning.  Jesus said that He came to serve and not be served and to give His life as a ransom for many. 
            Second, we are to be faithful with what we have been given.  We are not to squander what God has given us to do.  We are not to be short-sighted or careless. We are not to procrastinate or become complacent.  The best time to serve God is now!  The enemy often prompts us to delay, to hesitate or to waver.  The enemy’s goal is that over time we will just forget about the trust God has placed in us.  Our passion for the Lord and eagerness to serve Him could well prove to be an example for other believers.  Remember what Paul wrote to Titus, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7).  Other believers often learn by our example.  We could be a good example for those who are young in the Lord to elevate their faith and service.  We could be an encouragement to older believers who might be fighting battles with weariness, spiritual fatigue and discouragement. 
            In Luke 16:10-12, Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”  We can never expect to have greater or more responsibility unless we are faithful with what God has first given to us.  But faithfulness in the simple and small things may well open the door for you to serve the Lord in greater ways.  Take some time to consider what God has placed in your life.  Consider the blessings, responsibilities and moments that He has entrusted to you.  Resolve to be faithful in and with those things.  Seek His forgiveness and grace for those times when you are unfaithful and even careless with His work.  Ask for His grace and strength to be trustworthy, sure and persevering with all that He has given to you.  Remember you can share our worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.  Have a great Monday!