It's typical to
hear a wealthy individual described as being "worth" millions or
billions of pounds. This is a very telling way of speaking. It demonstrates
what society values: a person's 'worth' is determined by how much money they
have rather than their character or how they treat others.
This is how 1
Corinthians 4 depicts the scenario. In the Roman world, humility was not
regarded as a virtue. People desired to be revered and despised. All of that
was turned on its head by the new Christian Church, whose founder had
experienced the ultimate humiliation of crucifixion, and whose disciples were
required to live accordingly.
It's not
unexpected that many people struggled with it. Paul was writing to a group of
people who were vying for power and evaluating one another by all-too-human
criteria. Part of the problem, it appears, was that another teacher, Apollos,
was a more impressive figure than Paul, and some were attempting to pit them
against each other.
Everything they
have is a gift from God, Paul reminds them (verse 7). He reminds them (verses
11–13) that the apostles too are tormented and despised.
Today's world is
dominated by wealth, titles, and accomplishments. When we are impressed by
these things in the Church — for example, the status of a great preacher,
worship leader, or writer – we must remember that these things aren't essential
to God, and they shouldn't be significant to us.
God, please
assist me to esteem persons who are Christlike, regardless of their worldly
accomplishments. Help me to be driven by a desire to be like Jesus, not by the
adulation of others.