Reading your Bible for today June 24

June 24: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

KJV Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:9
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Devotion:
Paul's letter to the church at Corinth has this reminder in it to make sure people do not elevate their own positions above that of a human. It is so easy when in a position of power to extend your own position so people have to praise you in some way. Many leaders have erected statues in their own honour so other people may worship them. Many have erected huge pictures for the same reason. Those reasons are purely selfish and forces others to worship them as an idol. This does not seem to be limited to those people in charge of countries but even in charge of churches – why else would Paul have written these words as a warning to the church?

When we start to elevate our own position in a church then we are telling people to take us first and God second. If we do still hold up God as the Ultimate, then we are still telling people to hold us up over others; those others being God's children, just like us!

We need to remember our position as servants of God. Not slaves, not bound up, but free to do what we will. We need to be like willing servants. We need to be willing to do His will and His work. We need to be willing to do His will when it conflicts with our will, showing that we do lift Him higher than ourselves. We need to be willing to show others that we will not lift them above God, reminding them of their position as servants of God as well.

We may well be able to sow the seeds. We may well be able to minister to others. We may well be the ones who lead others to God. But it is God alone, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that gives us our gifts and saves our souls. Let that not be forgot!

Points to Ponder:
How do you treat others in your house?

Do you ignore God when others demand attention?