I Corinthians 4:1-21
4:1-2 We each have the blessed opportunity to work with God while we are on earth. God entrusts us with the responsibility, the only thing we require in order to take it is faith in Him. The reason we need faith is because faith is our direct source of patience, guidance, wisdom and love. With God as our pillar, we are able to withstand any type of trial or tumult (a necessary ability as life on earth is complex and often difficult to navigate).
4:3-4 Through Paul we learn focus and we learn value. What is valuable is that we dedicate our compassion to others rather than to endlessly contemplate ourselves. When we live with purpose for the betterment of others, not only do we create who we are but we also learn about ourselves. It is doubly productive to live humbly and selflessly.
Paul could have wasted a lot of time wondering and worrying about how he would be perceived (by God and other humans) but instead he remained focused on a purpose. Paul understood that internal complexities could be disentangled by living with purpose and determination. Paul was not concerned about reward or punishment; his focus was to be the best, most helpful person he could be and not worry about the end result.
4:5 Therefore, we should do ourselves the favor of releasing our anxiety. When we realize that we are valued, that we are a vessel with the potential to influence the world, we may focus on the fact that we have so much purpose to fulfill. In pursuing and fulfilling our purpose, we learn to value ourselves and not worry about what our actions are yielding. Why? Because we know that are doing our best, most purposeful work and we can trust that the universe is grateful but also encouraging and supporting of our efforts.
4:6-7 We must remain humble. We must always view our fellow humans as equivalent. Arrogance corrupts our spirits and ruins the lives of others. God has given to all of His children, and those of us with "much" should not be boastful about what we have...because we do not have it through any efforts of our own. Our existence here on earth was freely given and we are expected to give in the same manner. Give fairly, humbly, selflessly.
This does not mean to empty your pockets and house for anyone who walks by...but instead means that when we see an opportunity to help somebody who needs what we are able to provide, we should freely provide it. There are many ways to help a person, we immediately think: monetarily, but also we can help through friendships and listening ears...in a myriad of ways we can impact somebody's entire life.
When we work with God, with the universe, with this divine order that we barely understand, it works with us. When we lace our intention with its, our life is strung together expertly, seeking with calculation our greatest happiness. Our souls speak with the universe, It knows what we want but we must trust it, emulate its nature, in order for it to deliver.
4:8 Paul is telling us to not be proud and comforted by fame, wealth or power. Instead, Paul revels as a misunderstood sojourning man without any physical possessions because of the spiritual wealth God has given him: the fame of being recognized and known so well by God as a kind soul and the power of working with the incredible force of the universe. When one has God they truly need nothing else...because He provides in more and ample ways than anything else ever could.
A person can seem to have everything but although their surroundings are materially impressive, the inside of themselves is empty. Our souls crave purpose, are nourished by compassion and without the opportunities and outlets to express those things, we suffer greatly. A lonely person is a person with a soul which is not being nourished... Material possessions can never replace the light and love of having people to love, purpose to fulfill.
4:9-11 Paul is not concerned with impressing people. Paul is concerned with returning to the universe all of the purpose, love and compassion that It placed in him. It does not matter what humans put him through, as long as he is focused in God, he cannot be deterred or harmed. God's children are alive, in every moment, even after earth. God's children endure all tribulations because they are impermeable. Nothing can break or even scrape the protective barrier God places over our lives when we allow Him to. God's children are very happy and proud to suffer for justice. The thought of sitting on a throne uselessly is painfully distasteful to them, they would never choose it. Rather a poor human with a purpose than a rich one without.
4:12-13 God's children are ready and eager to get their hands dirty, to get to work. God's children look around the world and they see so many opportunities to help and guide and befriend and they immediately roll up their sleeves. A child of God labors in compassion, never rests, resists complacency.
4:14-15 Paul's advice heeds them (and us) to not worry about supposed differences between each other. No matter how one conceives of the details of religion, faith or spirituality, the core purpose is the same. Paul encourages us to reject the seeming glamor of wealth and fame, to trade them for hard, lifelong work. Paul's warning is given out of love, he does not want any of us to experience a lonely or painful soul when what God offers is so rewarding and gentle and exuberant.
4:16 Paul urges us to imitate him: to abandon what the world tells us is valuable and to open our arms to spiritual service. To friendship and travel and kindness, love, hope and empathy. To the hard labor of working every minute of every day to ensuring those things thrive on the earth among humanity.
4:17 Paul tells the Corinthians that Timothy will come to them as a spiritual guide. While we should never revere another person, we should be appreciative of the benefits others bring to our lives. Mindfully, we should consider others and others thoughts and reflect on them in order that we might improve our own (we can learn from others' accomplishments as well as mistakes, talents as well as shortcomings. Life is chock full of lessons!)
4:18-21 Paul explains that he will always recognize children of God by their humbly efforts. Paul does not wish to be received as a saint or somebody special...he is not impressed and nor does he believe that he is impressive. Rather he looks forward to meeting with those who have absorbed humility and will receive him gratefully as a fellow worker. Who we are is powerful. How we act, behave, interact and present ourselves is powerful. Our outward appearance and impressive material wealth is useless and we should never rely on it for contentment, happiness, power or entitlement.
