Ni90: 2 Corinthians 7-9, Proverbs 24

As I read this today it struck me that Paul never got the memo about speaking about money. no one ever told him that God wants money matters done in secret so He can bless it. No one ever told Paul that talk about money made people so uncomfortable that it hurt the cause of church growth. No one told Paul that speaking of generosity would drive good and godly people to hide their wallets. [Tongue in cheek...of course.]

Paul spends two entire chapters speaking of generosity and its connection to the gospel witness and the Kingdom economy. A couple of overarching statements here are appropriate:

• Our giving/generosity gives a testimony of our value of the King’s gift to us. When we give little or nothing, we TESTIFY that we value little or nothing the gift of Salvation/Hope/Sanctification and the presence of God. When we are generous…we TESTIFY of the enormous value we place on God’s generosity toward us.
• Covetousness is the enemy of generosity and must be actively resisted at every step of the journey…or generosity will die.
• Generosity is to be CELEBRATED…DISCUSSED…and should be an encouragement toward an epidemic of generosity among God’s people everywhere!
• God intends and uses our generosity to meet the needs of others who suffer in the Kingdom. This doesn’t mean we are not to be caring toward the poor who are outside of God’s family…because we are to care…but there is NEVER an excuse for us to allow want and suffering to occur among believers while we have excess.

OK…now I already feel a bit “uncomfortable” talking about this…since I haven’t yet mastered all of it in my own life…but I am growing and I have seen the promises affirmed in my life. Further, I fully and completely affirm these principles as true. They are not up for debate in my mind. (I just still struggle with wanting a pool or a jet-ski, or a motorcycle like my neighbors sometimes… So, the seed of covetousness is still in my heart and I have to WORK to not nurture it…or it will take root and grow!

Rather than break down the verses…I think I will just go back and re-read chapters 8-9 a few more times and see how God’s MODEL of generosity is reflected in my life. Questions to consider as we apply the text:

• Am I concerned about the poor in my congregation to the point that I am sacrificial in meeting their needs?
• Do I recognize that God gave me more so that I would give it away to alleviate suffering?
• If I cannot “afford” to be generous with what I have…is it because I have too many things that use up the surplus blessings on my personal comforts/passions/and desires…to the neglect of things I CLAIM to value more in the Kingdom economy of God?

My prayer is that God would stir in me a desire to radical generosity which is not really radical…but is biblical.

Proverbs 24:17-18 is the takeaway today. “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him.”

Ni90: 2 Corinthians 4-6, Proverbs 23

In these chapters we need to set a little “context” for the argument to really connect in our minds. Paul likely wrote this letter from Philippi around AD 55 while in the midst of his missionary work. Having heard of the repentance in the church at Corinth following his painful letter (or visit according to some scholars), Paul now writes to affirm his apostleship and thus solidify his influence in the church. He desires to return there to collect the offering for the poor saints in Jerusalem and he has a love for this church…so he wants them to trust him.

Part of the tactics used by the false teachers who had caused so much trouble in the church was to malign Paul’s character in order to discredit him and elevate themselves by comparison. Paul now is seeking to answer some of these character attacks (because it is a necessary “evil” given the human psychological dynamic) while keeping the focus on Christ and His finished work.

• 4:7-12. Nothing about this experience will ever appear on Creflo Dollar’s broadcast. Instead of health, wealth, and prosperity…Paul says that his life and ministry is hard! It is hard but he is not despairing…because of the hope that is in Christ (4:14)…and in comparison to  that hope…these difficult circumstances are but a momentary, light affliction! (4:16-18). NOTE: I love the way that Paul doesn’t deny the accusations that his enemies have made…but sets them in the context of the King and the Kingdom. You can almost hear them saying…”Paul is trouble. Everywhere he goes he is arrested or beaten. A good and godly man wouldn’t have so much trouble!! Paul responds…we are in difficulties often…and we do what we do so that others might live…just like JESUS!! (5:11-12). MAKES ME WONDER…how the world might respond if we turned every conversation about our condition to the King and His Kingdom… ”Yes, I did lose my job which is difficult…but I am excited that one day I will (not hope) be in the presence of Jesus where I’ll never have a job like this again. Until then I know (not hope) that Jesus provides. After all, He provided the last job and since I don’t have it…He must have considered my assignment completed.” [Wouldn't that make the world scratch their heads?]
• 5:13…if we are out of our mind…we are just nuts for God! LOVE IT!
• 5:14-15…Christ’s love controls us completely and we live wholly for Him who died and rose again on our behalf!
• 5:18-19. The outworking of living wholly for Christ and being controlled by His love…means we are INTENTIONALLY engaged in the ministry/service He has commended to US ALL…the ministry of reconciliation. Here is what that looks like: “Are you a plumber?” NOPE. “I am a reconciler of men to God who works as a plumber.” “Are you a retiree from the Navy?” NOPE. “I am a reconciliation agent of the Kingdom who once was assigned to the Navy as my mission field, now I am a free agent and focus on a new mission field of people who wear shorts and black socks!”
• 6:3-10. We choose to give no offense in anything, but to commend ourselves in every form of situation we find ourselves in…which at the time is a boatload of suffering…and it is a momentary, light, affliction incomparable to the surpassing glory to be revealed!

So…do we bemoan our suffering? Do we feel the need to justify every difficulty in our lives? Do we see value in our suffering as purposeful? Are we living in the hope of the glory to come and determining that in light of this hope…whatever momentary light affliction we face is trivial at best?

Proverbs 23:4-5 is the takeaway today. “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.”

Ni90: 2 Corinthians 1-3, Proverbs 22

This letter to the Corinthians is somewhat “weedy” at times as it is part of a dialogue of sorts…a conversation between Paul and the Corinthian church. As in other places, Paul addresses concerns/accusations about him, about matters within the church, and about a “sorrowful letter,” which cannot be identified with certainty [Some attribute the reference to 1 Corinthians, while other attribute it to a lost letter that was sent between 1 and 2 Corinthians]. The principle…which is the point for us…is not jeopardized by the identity of the sorrowful letter.

A couple of characteristics of these first chapters grabbed me as I read today:

• 1:4. Actually 1:3-7…where Paul uses the word “comfort”  ten times. verse 4 gives context and explanation to suffering. In our suffering…God comforts us in such a way that we can comfort others out of our own experience with God. This is not a philosophical or psychological comfort. It is real comfort gained in experience with God.
• 1:8-11. This is an example of what Paul has just suggested…he sensed his own impending death and God comforted and even delivered him. Paul was encouraged, strengthened and even helped by those who had prayed for him in his affliction. (Notice he says that the prayer had real value…it was truly purposeful…not just some practice for people who needed a religious crutch.)
• 2:4. The responsibilities of spiritual leadership are difficult and REQUIRE that the man of God rebuke at times. This should always be done in the right spirit…one of love and brokeness over the affront to God and the condition of the people. There is never a place for a pastor to be vindictive or hurtful…abusive in his execution of his duty. At the same time…he cannot shun his duty and claim that he is being merciful or gracious. The correct word is cowardice. The affront to God in sin MUST be addressed…and the suffering of the people IN SIN must be confronted. These things outweigh the consideration of not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings. [Truthfully, what we "dress up" as protecting someone's feelings...is often a masked desire for approval and acceptance from people...thus it is pride and sin in us.]
• 2:5-11. RESTORATION is the purpose and goal of confrontation and punishment. This matter likely refers to the sexual immorality of 1 Cor 5. The church exercised DISCIPLINE in the matter and the offender was broken. Paul wrote to the church that had SHIFTED from “overlooking” the sin to becoming “unforgiving” when repentance was obvious. He told the church…accept the man back into the fellowship so that he not be utterly destroyed. Notice…”forgive and COMFORT” (2:7).
• 3:14. This leapt off the page today because of what I am studying for Sunday’s message. It deals with a hardness of heart/mind…an unteachable/immovable position that costs eternally. The veil which covered the glory of God is unlifted for the Jews because it is only lifted in Christ…and they were unwilling to accept this teaching. [I am personally broken over the fact that some live continually in captivity because they are not open to hearing a "new Word" from God. They think that they know already all that is needed and see anything new as insignificant or erroneous. In either case...they live looking at a "veil" when it could be lifted if they softened their mind. CAUTION: I am not speaking of some new doctrine; rather, I am saying that sometimes we set in our mind a particular application of biblical truth and because of who once told us...or based on our bias...we are not open to changing our mind in response to a new application of the text...even if it is supported in a dozen different ways in the Scripture. Such was the circumstance of the Jews who missed Christ...because he did not fit the mold. And they suffered eternally for not being teachable...refusing to let God teach them new applications of truth.]

I am convinced that we could grow immensely and experience overwhelming joy if we could only get out of our own way.

Proverbs 22:10 is the takeaway today. “Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, even strife and dishonor will cease.”

Ni90: 1 Corinthians 15-16, Proverbs 21

This chapter (15) pertains in large part to the defense Paul gives for the resurrection in direct response to false teachings by speculative philosophers in the church. He speaks directly and (some may say) harshly toward them. This is not normative for defending ones faith. In fact, in the example of Jesus, Paul is speaking for the benefit of those listening in…not for the benefit of those who offered such “goofy” philosophical ideas. [IOW: He is not trying to convince the ones who have the bad theology. They are not teachable. He is trying to rescue those they are seeking to convert to their way of thinking.]

Paul argues for the truth of the resurrection from a number of directions. All of these arguments are good in themselves; however, when you take them together, it is hard to deny the resurrection at all…ever!

A couple of verses in the passage minister to my soul…apart from the resurrection argument.

• 15:10. Some of the opponents argued that Paul did not have very strong credentials to be sharing his views on matters like resurrection and things of Christ. They (said) that he had once been an enemy of Christ and that his newly stated faith (not new at this point since it was decades old…but we shouldn’t let the truth get in the way of good gossip)  was not very reliable…at least not as reliable as theirs. [I imagine they pointed to their graying hair, family tree, and educational degrees as proof]. Paul’s response…I AM WHAT I AM BY THE GRACE OF GOD. God did not save Paul in spite of his sin…but because his sin made him in need of salvation…just as with every person on the planet. He was once a persecutor of the church…and then he got saved. Once he was saved…he was different. Every one of us is an enemy of God before salvation. We are opposing Him in every respect before we yield to Jesus as Lord. Paul’s past was not a reason for ongoing shame…but was a trophy of God’s grace!
• 16:1-2. This collection was not the “tithe” that was given to God through the local church; rather it spoke of a freewill offering for compassion ministry toward suffering saints elsewhere. NOW…while it was a free will offering, Paul assumed that everyone would participate according to his ability. GENEROSITY is normal Christianity. (Gosh…I think “how stupid was I all those years” as I tried to negotiate with God and told him I could not afford to tithe…much less give beyond a tithe. If I had trouble affording to tithe…it was because I had spent God’s money somewhere else. I can always afford to do what God directs in my life. I just have to not use his portion on a new truck or little stuff that I buy on Visa or Mastercard during the month.) A non-generous Christian…is a contradiction in terms.
• 16:13-14. These verses were the theme for a men’s conference I did a couple years ago for my men in the church. It was an is still near to my heart…what God did in our time together. A pleasant reminder and NEAT way to end my reading today.

Proverbs 21:13 is the takeaway today. “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.”

Ni90: 1 Corinthians 13-14, Proverbs 20

Paul continues to speak of the “more excellent” gifts as we continue this discussion. Spiritual gifts are (and have been) lightning rods for controversy at times. [Now I like to stir the pot as much as the next guy, but sometimes we the argument can become more fluff than substance.] 13:1-7 is powerfully convicting to read. No matter how gifted you are spiritually, the greatest action is the display of love. It is not a false love (outward only), but an endearing and true love (inward and outworking). Paul says (to put it in context)…”You may be a better orator than the President or Billy Graham, you may be more charitable than Mother Theresa, you may be wiser than Albert Einstein or even King Solomon…but if you do not have [genuine] love…you have nothing.”

So what does this LOVE look like. There are both negative and positive descriptors in vv.4-8a:

Love is: patient and kind…it rejoices over truth…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…love never fails.

Love is not: jealous, bragging, arrogant, provoked,…does not act in an unbecoming way, is not self seeking, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, does not maintain a record of wrongs suffered.

To state the list in ALL POSITIVE TERMS is helpful:

Love is: Patient, kind, truthful, righteous, celebrative over righteousness, unassuming, unenvious, unprovoked, forgiving of wrongs, patient/longsuffering, trusting, unfailing…

Paul says that if we are to set our hearts on pursuing something…this we should pursue. Now if you have to pursue something, then it means that it does not come naturally.

Also, genuine love emanates from a proper heart…it is not manufactured. [Beware of the guy who says, "I love ___, he is my friend...but, ___." This statement is indicative of a manufactured love, not a love that emanates from a proper heart.]

The admonition to the Corinthian church reminds us that people were enamored with the “flash” of ministry and not the heart of ministry. They loved the WOW of speaking in tongues. In fact, speaking in tongues had become the pursuit more than God Himself. (Now you can substitute any good thing in place of tongues here…compassion ministry, church organization, missions, music, 3 point sermons…whatever). WHENEVER good stuff that should reflect our heart for God becomes more important than meeting with God, we have fallen into the trap Paul admonishes against here.

FInally…for my friends who would read this and conclude that tongues have ceased and there is no place for them in the church today…you will have a difficult time proving that from the Scripture. WHile I have never spoken in tongues…and the times I have been in the presence of it…I have been a bit skeptical…14:39 is still significant…”do not forbid the speaking of tongues.” A man who denies this must recognize the power of it in 14:37-38…this is the Lord’s command and to deny it is to prove one does not speak on God’s behalf…he is not recognized.

Proverbs 20:11 is the takeaway today. “It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right.”

Ni90: 1 Corinthians 10-12, Proverbs 19

Chapter 10 opens on a pretty sober note…it speaks of the judgment incurred by Israel for idolatry. Now it is reasonable for a believer to ask, “Why is Paul focusing on idolatry now? Are believers in Corinth worshipping wooden statues?” The truth is…the culture of the Corinthian church was full of idolatrous practices…and the culture for the church today…is no different.

Paul’s warning in the opening verses is to be diligent to remain faithful to the One True God. From this emphasis on diligence…we can discern that the danger was to become complacent about fidelity. It is not that the believers ran over to the Temple of Artemis and worshipped. The issue was that they needed to be careful to guard against allowing idolatry ANY FOOTHOLD in their hearts (10:14). There is no excuse for falling into idolatry (13:13). There is also no acceptance for a person to be a believer and an idolater at the same time (10:14-22).

So what is this IDOLATRY that was such a danger? It was an idolatry of the heart more than anything and the warning against it was intended to: (1) Protect the believer from infidelity leading to judgment by God, and (2) to protect the witness of the believer so that the Kingdom of God would continue to grow.

In 10:23-33, Paul gives the application/outworking of what he has just taught. Eat the meat set before you and do not worry…for meat sold in the market that was offered to idols is still just meat. It cannot hurt a Christian; however, eating meat offered to idols can affect the non-Christian or young Christian observer who watches the believer’s life. Therefore, if you are told that the meat offered you was offered to an idol in worship, refuse it…not for your own conscience’s sake, but for the sake of the one offering it. See…Paul instructs us to live our lives on display…sacrificially…so as to win people to faith in Christ! To do this…means that we willingly and joyfully subjugate our rights for the higher calling of the Kingdom.

11:1 caps the teaching with a bold statement, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” [This statement is powerful and convicting...if those we cared about imitated our faithfulness to Christ...how would the kingdom expand? Would there be people saved...people sharing their faith...people living and giving sacrificially for God's Kingdom purpose? WOuld the community be a better place...if everyone did what I do?]

The teaching on AUTHORITY in chapter 11 is lost on many today…because we see women differently in our culture than in Paul’s day. So, some skip the principle from the teaching as well. PLEASE Don’t do that! The principles of created order, Christ’s Lordship, and God’s grace in authority are strong… Do not discard them simply because women are treated differently today.

Proverbs 19:14 is the takeaway today. “House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”

Ni90: 1 Corinthians 7-9, Proverbs 18

In these three chapters, we find a number of statements that instruct us on the practical (practice) outworking of our faith. What we believe (our doctrine) is evident in our practice. We MUST NOT reduce this teaching from the inspired Word of God to some type of good advice column in the local paper. It is not. This is biblical instruction that, when understood as principle, can help us calibrate our actions so that we might honor God in the practice of our faith.

• 7:1-5. Husbands and wives are not to use religious devotion practices (prayer) as an excuse to refuse the spouse of physical relations. This is an outworking of the “one flesh” and “others centered” principles. Practically speaking, it is a protection of our spouse by keeping them from temptation. (As someone’s grandma said, “A man doesn’t look for a meal when he is satisfied by the food on his own table.”)
• 7:21. I thought this interesting…In an age where we equate the changing of cultural circumstance with bona-fide Christianity…I thought it interesting that Paul says to the slave, “if you can be freed…great, but if not…no worries. Live as you are, since God called you as you are. Perhaps we impose our cultural assumptions on others and call it Christianity from time to time.
• 7:32-35. Paul advocates singleness over the distraction of marriage. I tis not that he hates marriage. Marriage is commended. What he advocates more so is the focus of Kingdom work over everything else. When we see our ministry/calling (whatever it is) as supreme to other allegiances…we have this in the right order. Practically…there should be an “undistracted devotion” to the Lord. So…are you a “factory worker” who is a Christian…or a Christian who works in a factory?
• 8:9. We must be careful with our liberty/freedom in Christ…that we not allow it to become a point of stumbling for another. If love trumps freedom (8:1), then we will gladly yield our liberty for the growth/spiritual development of another. Again KINGDOM FIRST.
• 9:1-18. This is a tough passage but a necessary one. Some guys in ministry today use this as a “model” and advocate that a pastor should never receive pay for ministerial service. Others see it as a warrant for the right to be paid and paid well. The passage actually teaches both. It teaches the normalcy of paying ministers and for ministers to be paid commensurate with the ministry they perform; and, it gives an example of Paul refusing this right in his own case so as to accelerate the expansion fo the Kingdom. [Most folks hate passages like this because they want one answer for one question from the bible. However, the Bible is not the magic "8 ball" where you ask, shake it, and wait for the answer to appear in the window.
• 9:26-27. Discipline for the sake of KINGDOM FIRST. Discipline. Discipline.

Proverbs 18:8 is the takeaway today. "The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body." [Gossip and hallway whispers are dangerous. They will affect you to your soul!]