Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 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?
I Corinthians 4:6-7
In a posting from a couple weeks ago we talked about being empty shells except for what God instills in us. This passage talks about our hands that are empty save what has been put into them. Paul is not saying here that we should not follow our spiritual leaders. In fact, in Hebrews we are urged to “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”
What Paul is cautioning us against is being prideful. He instructs us to not boast in our leaders, or in the things that distinguish us from others, or in what we have that others do not. Our leaders are appointed by God; the gifts and fruits of the Spirit are from God; our possessions and talents are from God. What do you have that you did not receive? Nothing.
Paul said in another letter to “never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14). So, cheer up, Christian! We have been given a refrain to shout from the mountaintops, a song to sing in the byways, a mantra to chant to our heart’s content –
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross…and ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.
Our hands were empty, but are now full of all the things the blood-stained hands have given to us.
God asked Moses whats in your hands? It was a staff, and God had Moses use that staff for His glory.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, I asked God what he wanted me to do for him. He asked me this question and I looked down to find a blanket that I was sewing for a baby. But I did not relize untill years later that he wanted me to make blankets. I sewed teddybears, and chicks instead at that time.
God is asking us, what is in your hands? Let us all look down and see what is there, then use it for His glory. They say, "Iddle hands are Satan's play ground, let us all make sure our hands not only is NOT Satan's playground, but God's playground instead.
Good thoughts, Sister Toni. Moses' staff itself was made from a tree that God created. May the blankets, Vannie mats, and whatever else our hands find to do bring our Lord great honor and glory!
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