Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

1 Corinthians 4:6-8

Now, brothers, 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 take pride in one man over against another. 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? 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!

Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for being boastful about all the blessings that God gave them. Paul reminded them that all these things are from God. This is also the problem with some of the believers - We know that we've received everything from God, but we also feel that we've received more blessings than others and we've received more precious blessings from God. Even though we've received everything from God, we still like to compare with others and often conclude that we've received better blessings than others. We need to understand that none of us is worthy of God's blessings; without the grace of God we really have nothing.

When I was in a bible study group in Philadelphia, there was a sister who was academically strong. She went to all the best schools in Taiwan and came to the U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. degree. She used to think that we are somewhat strange that it takes us so long to study but hard for us to just get a masters degree; we also wondered why she was so good at schoolwork. After she completed the Ph.D. program, however, she got seriously sick. Back then, the economy was bad so she couldn't find any job, and she was physically weak. Suddenly, she realized that everything she had was from God; if God wanted to take it all, it could happen overnight. Knowing that everything she had was received from God, she once again gave herself to God's hands for Him to use, and now she's serving God feverishly somewhere in the U.S.

We need to have turnabout in our attitude in serving God, which is to truly understand that you and I are weak and not worthy. When one boasts of being talented and capable, or take pride in whatever he owns, he's not ready for serving God yet. Some people like to say that they will serve God once they achieve early retirement and have plenty of money, as if they can save God some money. Don't you believe that God is the almighty master of all things, and He can provide you in His glorious riches? We need to turn back to God again and acknowledge that we are weak, unworthy and we always need to depend on Him.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, please give us a humble and soft heart so that we may follow you closely as we serve you. Let us not depend on our own talent or money, but to solely depend on you. We ask that you come and make us your glorious vessel. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!