1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Man of God 

 Have you ever witnessed a terrible accident? I was in my mid 20’s and driving down Neeley’s Bend Road when I saw a motorcycle pass on my left and collide with an oncoming car. The rider of the bike flew over the car. I do know that the whole thing, which took probably no more than two or three seconds, seemed to take twenty or thirty seconds. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. And I could hardly believe it was happening. I don’t know if he lived or died.

With the advent of “Christian” television I witnessed a similar thing happen in the 1980’s. It seemed so absurd that I couldn’t believe it was happening; yet, it unfolded before my very eyes, and millions of other eyes as well. The image of the “man of God” was transformed (at least in the Western world) into a smoothly packaged, well dressed and manicured, forceful personality peddling a self help gospel that included reprocessed greed and copious amounts of formulas designed to make your every dream come true. I think it’s still alive, but this one needs to die.

 Here is what Paul has to say about, and how he describes, the great leaders of the Church. We are just servants, not trying to please men at all, but wanting to please God. Everything we have (and you have for that matter) comes from God so there is no need to ever boast. We can usually be found at the end of the line. Most people think we are fools. They think we are weak and so they dishonor us. We have to work hard and when persecution comes we have a good attitude. Most people would think we were scum rather than stars.

One thing they do have is true spiritual power and authority.

I’m a pastor and I believe I have had a pretty easy life. For this I give thanks to God. It is through no merit of my own, that’s for sure. I am not saying that a “man of God” must be dirt poor and smell bad. Clearly there have been great godly leaders who also had wealth and status in this world. But how did we drift so far from the model as to think that worldly wealth and status are something strive for?

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all of these other things will be added to you. Money and worldly influence? Maybe, but righteousness, peace, and joy for sure. That is something that money can’t buy, something worldly influence cannot assure, but the true reward of the true man or woman of God.