1 Corinthians 4 (Pt 7)

1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

[7] For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church reminding them that they were not the source of their own blessings, their own glory, their own wisdom, their own spiritual insight, or their own possessions. All that they had was a gift from God. We pride ourselves in being self-made individuals. The area where I grew up took independent, self-sufficient people to settle this harsh land. In the summer there were swamps and mosquitoes thick enough to kill an animal. In the winter there was fifty below temperatures plus windchill, and deep snow. Early settlers had no one to depend on but themselves. That self-sufficient mind set has carried down through the generations to produce hard working, independent, self-sufficient individuals.

Self-sufficiency is not bad. It is a stark contrast with the dependent, entitled culture that seems to be developing in recent years among some. But there is a danger in both positions. Entitlement fails to understand sin. Entitlement fails to understand that we do not deserve the blessings we have received. Self-sufficiency feels that it needs to earn its way. Entitled individuals think they deserve more than they have. Self-sufficient individuals think they have earned all that they have. The truth is that all we have is a gift from God. Both positions forget that. As those blessed and gifted by God, we are simply servants and stewards. That is exactly how Paul described himself earlier in 1 Corinthians 4.

“What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it” (1 Cor 4:7)? There is certainly room for stepping back from a finished project and being pleased with what you have accomplished. But even then, perhaps we should breath a prayer of thanks for the privilege of creating, the ability to create, and the resources to do what we just did. Everything we have is a gift from God. Not everyone has the ability to do what we just did. Not everyone has the resources to accomplish what we just accomplished. All we have is a gift from God. In receiving gifts there is no room for arrogance or entitlement, only humility and gratitude. Whether we are creating a work of art, restoring a piece of furniture, cooking a tasty meal, loving on our children or grand-children, teaching a Bible lesson, or simply taking another breath, gratitude should be the attitude of our heart.