Which Donkey Are You Listening To?

 April 9, 2024

Tuesday

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church for several reasons. I believe the major reason was the disunity in the church. I believe that because he tackled that problem first. Factions in the church erupted as people chose the preachers they followed. Normally, preachers don't say anything bad about each other but they will accept the praises of the people even if it is at the detriment of the others. Paul would have nothing of it even though he was one of the preferred preachers.

He tells the Corinthian church how they should look at preachers. It is the way we should look at them too.

1 Corinthians 4:1 (NASB 2020) ¹ This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Paul uses a very special Greek word for servants. This word means one who learns his tasks and goals from another because he has a innate desire to know these tasks and goals and takes no regard for his own dignity and worth in the process. (Unfortunately, that doesn't describe many of us preachers.) In other words, the preaching comes from the Lord in what it will accomplish and how it will be delivered. The preacher desires to preach in this way without needing to be called "doctor" or given special credit for the preaching.

This, of course, has set me reflecting upon myself. I don't need to criticize what I might believe is the attitude or methods of others. In fact, a preacher shouldn't see his preaching as anything more than walking with God, learning from Him and telling others what he has learned. It is more than the report of a bystander but it is much less that being the soul author of the message.

Should this apply to your preacher or Sunday School teacher? Yes, I believe it should. And if you are one of these, you too should reflect upon yourself and see yourself as this type of servant.

Should this be how you respect your preacher or Sunday School teacher. Yes, I also believe this is the case. While you may have a great Sunday School teacher or preacher, you cannot use the fact that you listen to their teaching or preaching as a means of claiming you are better because you listen to them. They are, if they walk with the Lord, humble servants not elevated above others because of their deliveries or knowledge but because of their willingness to humbly walk with the Lord. Remember, God has used a donkey to speak. Which donkey are you wanting to promote?

So, listen to different preachers and teachers who differently present the true messages of the gospel. However, don't think that because you listen to one while other people listen to others that you are above them in your spirituality. You, too, must be one who humbly walks with God.