In 1 Corinthians chapter 4, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Everything I have in my possession has ultimately come from FATHER and I should never think or act beyond that reality for I am a steward. HE has placed us on this earth at this time, prepared and raised us up, and revealed HIS mysteries unto us. We should live our lives with gratitude rather than an air of entitlement.
3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.
4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
We should not be moved by men’s attempts to judge us for their motivation will ultimately be revealed by FATHER as HE reveals all men’s hearts. As HIS light shines into the darkness the motives of men will be revealed. As we continue on the path FATHER has us on let us be at peace with what HE has given us in Word and what HE has us perform in deed. Men will attempt to judge our speck through the beam in their eye. Let these words comfort each of us as the world speaks ill toward us.
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.
We must not take on the air of being superior and arrogant for we don’t possess anything that wasn’t first given to us. One of the biggest stumbling blocks is knowledge without wisdom and understanding. When men gain knowledge without being motivated by Love, they will attempt to manipulate others for their own self interest. They exalt themselves and belittle those around them. We must remember that FATHER is the Originator of all true knowledge, Wisdom, understanding, and skill. HE gave us gifts and callings to be used for blessing, not belittling.
There are those who believe they are already manifested Sons of GOD yet there is no apparent fruit or witness to their perfection. They are “legends in their own mind”. The firstfruits of the Sons must begin with Love not lordship. We must be willing to serve all rather than proclaim ourselves as kings expecting everyone else to serve us.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
Paul gave up all to serve. He became as a father to the various congregations of believers. A father is one who raises up a son to maturity and is in the continual giving mode toward that son. The father must be patient and longsuffering as well as correcting the mistakes and direction of the immature son. The father must emulate Our Heavenly Father in order to be most effective in dealing with those who are immature and that can be a challenging task at times.
Each of us are stewards at some level. There are some who have much responsibility and others who have just a little. No matter what we have been given we should be grateful and take our stewardship seriously. As we do, FATHER will raise us up to a greater degree. However we are warned against claiming ownership or authorship for we have originated nothing by ourselves. We are simply stewards of all we possess.