GOD JUDGES ALL MINISTERS AND STEWARDS

1 Corinthians 4:1-4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord.

The inspired apostles and disciples of Jesus were the New Testament teachers of God's word. They were ministers, or servants, of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. And, as stressed by Paul in the chapters preceding the lesson text, they are not to be considered, nor are they to be given the glory of a spiritual leader. A minister is one that has the responsibility of carrying out the designs, orders, and instructions of another. In the explanatory notes of the New Testament, B. W. Johnson says that the word rendered "ministers" means, literally, "under-rowers." The figure is that of a ship impelled by oars. The church is the ship; Christ commands; the rowers obey orders. Apostles and disciples were the designations given them based on their specific calling - that is, their talent or ability, that was used in serving God through Christ.

As ministers of Christ, (they become) stewards of the mysteries of God. Webster defines a steward as one chosen to be responsible for carrying out the instructions in the administration of the household or estate of their master. Using this analogy, ministers of Christ are responsible for caring for those that make up the household of faith, known as the church of Christ. That care involved revealing and teaching themthe mysteries of God (His Holy Word). It was these inspired sermons and writings that, not only brought sinners into the body of Christ, but fed them with the spiritual food necessary to sustain their soul, and cause them to grow into strong, adult Christians capable of administering to the spiritual needs of others.

The key to understanding the duties and responsibilities of ministers and stewards of God and Christ, is to always realize that the knowledge they have, and are passing on to others, is that which was given to them by God. Depending on the era in which they preached, servants of God received their spiritual wisdom either by direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as were the original apostles and disciples of Christ, or the wisdom obtained from God's Holy Spirit-inspired New Testament, as ministers of Christ do today. Godly ministers and stewards are never to teach their own philosophy with biased, human wisdom. Their message is to always come only from the wisdom of God. The source of all teaching, by the ministers of Christ, is to be founded firmly on the inspired word of God, and taught by faithful, dedicated stewards ...of God. In fulfilling God's will, such ministers and stewards, realizing the consequences stated in Revelations 22:18-19, will never add, ...(or) take away from the words found in His inspired Holy Bible. Neither will ministers (and) stewards use the preaching and teaching of God's word to glorify themselves, but rather will give the glory to God, as the Author of our salvation, and Jesus Christ, the Giver of that salvation.

Considering the divisions that seemed to exist in the church at Corinth, Paul says, in verse three of the lesson text, that their judgment of him was a very small thing. Any other man's judgment of him, Paul considered to be meaningless, even the judgment of mine own self. Realizing that those using worldly wisdom would always criticize the preaching of the word of God, Paul considered the judgment of himself, by human standards, as insignificant. To Paul, the only judgment that mattered was that of God. In the last verse of the lesson text, Paul tells us that he knew nothing that he had said or done, with which he could condemn himself in his service to God, his Master. He considered his service, to the best of his human knowledge, and was what God, through Jesus Christ, wanted him to do. Yet, he confessed, that by his human wisdom, he was not capable of justifying his service to God. Paul confesses that his service could be justly measured only by the standards set by his Master, by saying he that judgeth me is the Lord.

What a great lesson for the Christians at Corinth, and for all Christians today. This lesson condemns all that rely on human wisdom to guide their spiritual lives. To alter the will of God, in any way, is to seek personal glory. Paul says we are to know this: But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth (2 Cor. 10:17-18). As ministers and stewards, all must be accounted by God, and only God, as worthy servants.