Everything you have

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)

Maybe its my continual battle with pride. Maybe its my ever growing sense of smallness in a universe created by a God who is so far beyond me that I cannot even grasp the edges of who He is (Job 26:14). Maybe it is simply the fact that the Bible is truth and whenever it speaks (and we happen to listen) there is a resonant chord in our hearts.

For whatever the reason, the verse above from 1 Cor 4, always presses on me each time I read it. In two simple and straightforward questions, Paul lays out and disarms pride. He establishes God's sovereignty over all  things. He demonstrates the deceitfulness of the human heart & mind. He confirms our utter dependence on God (whether viewed as King or Father). And he implies the need we all have (and due we owe) to worship God.

Yes, I know I've put a lot a weight on one verse. And yes, I know would have a hard time supporting these spiritual realities exclusively from this verse. Yet, as the Spirit teaches and guides, I think it is reasonable to say that these thoughts were in Paul's mind when he wrote this, if for no other reason that he brings these truths out explicitly in other places.

In order to avoid an extended discourse, here's my plan for the day. I'm going list the items again, one by one, with a few comments for each. My request of you is to prayerfully read and reflect. Ask God if He would use this verse or these truths to draw you closer to Him.

Paul lays out and disarms pride.  This is clearly the main thrust of the verse. "Why do you boast?" seems pretty obvious. And yet, how often do we stop in the midst of reading 1 Cor 4 and actually ask ourselves: why do we boast. So, friend, hit the pause button on your life and really ask yourself "If you've really received everything from God, why do you boast?"

Paul establishes God's sovereignty over all  things.  This is semi explicit, but in a way it is buried in the first rhetorical question: "What what do you have that you did not receive?" The implied answer is that there is nothing that I have, spiritual or physical, that I did not receive. If this is the case, who orchestrated my receiving? Who designed what I should receive and when and how much? Who is managing this process now? And the negative implication of all this is that if God is not sovereign, then everything is simply random and there is no purpose in the good or the evil or the ordinary events of our lives.

Paul demonstrates the deceitfulness of the human heart & mind. This is shown in the need for the questions, especially the second one. From a pure logic stand point, if we've received everything, we have nothing to boast about. We are not the canvas, we are not the paint, we are not the brushes, we are not the artistic skill and vision. We are the resulting painting. And yet we boast. Why? Is it not the deceitfulness of our own hearts? Even those who are redeemed in Christ continue to battle with the vestiges of this reality. We must never forget or relent in battling against what remains of our old self.

Paul confirms our utter dependence on God (whether viewed as King or Father). This item really overlaps with God's sovereignty. However, it needs to be distinct, because God's sovereignty can be viewed as cold, harsh, distant. But God is not cold, hard or distant. He gives rain to the just and the unjust. He gives life & breath to billions. He gives grace each day to people who are trusting Christ for the first time or surrendering their lives again as they roll out of bed. He listens to every prayer offered in name of His Son and is pleased to act  on behalf of his children. Without Him, we would be in the outer darkness, without hope in the world.

Paul implies the need we all have (and due we owe) to worship God. Yes, the proper response is worship. Isn't it always? Not always exuberant. Not always musical. But always joyful. Always grateful and humble. And it need not conform to any of the worship modes currently available to us. (Another topic for another day).

Well, it became a sermon anyway. I pray we will each take time, not just today, but every day to ask two simple questions:

What do you have that you did not receive?


If you've received everything, why do you boast as if you didn't receive it?

To God Alone be the Glory