The Lord’s Work
Open Your Bible
1 Corinthians 16:1-21, Leviticus 23:15-22, Deuteronomy 31:6-8
BY Guest Writer
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:1-21, Leviticus 23:15-22, Deuteronomy 31:6-8
Almost everybody works in some way. Whether we’re raising kids, conducting high-powered business meetings, teaching in a classroom, or polishing nails at the local salon, most folks know what it’s like to have a job. You know what’s frustrating, though? Doing a ton of work, but having no idea what’s expected of you. This is what the apostle Paul is trying to avoid in his letters to the Corinthian church.
The Corinthian church was multicultural, multiethnic, and socioeconomically diverse. It seems the only thing everyone in this group of folks had in common was their decision to follow Jesus. I’m guessing the members of this community had their work cut out for them! Not only were they charged with the tasks of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, but they also had to figure out how to live and work together in order to present themselves to Christ and to the world as a unified body—not an easy undertaking.
Paul is aware of this, and so, in a way, the book of 1 Corinthians serves as a job description for the early Church. The apostle makes clear what is expected of the community of believers who bear the name of Jesus Christ, and in the very last chapter, he closes with highlighting three growth areas for the Corinthian church.
Generosity. Paul is encouraging this church to share liberally from their financial resources to support the church in Jerusalem, which was experiencing difficult times. Note this: he didn’t ask the Corinthian church as an institution to support the Jerusalem church, but instead asked each person to set aside a portion of their income for the cause, every week. And if you earned a higher income, you were expected to give more.
Humility. Paul acknowledges four leaders who should be honored because of their work in the Lord. For Paul, honor and submission go hand in hand; you honor others by submitting your will to theirs.
Love. Paul commands, “Do everything in love” (v. 14). The motive for every word and every action should be love. It’s love that compels Paul to labor for the sake of the gospel, and it’s love that prompted him to write this letter to the Corinthian church in the first place.
Generosity, humility, and love. What do these three have in common? They are major attributes of Jesus Christ, the common denominator in the Church. Jesus was generous to humankind, becoming poor so that we could become rich. He humbled Himself by obeying the Father, even to the point of death. Jesus’ love was so great that He laid down His life for those who were His enemies.
This is good news for us! Just like the Corinthians, working as a unified Church is tough. But thanks be to God that we’ve got clear expectations lined out for us in God’s Word. And not only that—we have a perfect example in Jesus Christ, who sent the Holy Spirit to empower us to be the people God has called us to be.
Erin Rose lives and works in vibrant Richmond, Virginia, where she serves as Worship & Teaching Pastor at East End Fellowship. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and is currently enrolled as a graduate student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Erin is a member of Urban Doxology, a ministry that is writing the soundtrack of reconciliation for the church. Her greatest joy lies in leading God’s people in authentic worship, and teaching them the truth found in God’s Word. She also enjoys eating delicious food, spending time with loved ones, and indulging in the occasional Netflix binge.
39 thoughts on "The Lord’s Work"
-
I love how Paul calls people out when needed and encourage too. I think if we are humble we are open to hearing where we fall short and with that, we can help each other grow.
It’s a good thing to note him saying it was the people he was asking to give and not the institution. We as a Church should not place all the responsibility of helping on the people who run our church. It could even harm you to do so because your heart is not giving to a need then.
-
We all have a role to play in the body of Christ.
-
What a great example we have, Jesus Christ. Despite us falling short of acting like Him; that’s okay. He is the best role model to look up to because he did everything for God. His life work was for God’s purpose. Are we living God’s purpose? Are we acting and speaking every word as God intended us to do so? Are we loving people how God wants us to? When people lash out at us, how do we respond..do we with love?
Thank you Lord for giving us someone to look up to, to make you proud.
-
Honor those who labor well in the kingdom.
-
as often happens I got something different out of the passage today but to me that’s just the wonderful way that scripture speaks to us wherever we are at.
“For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.” school is out and I work from home which often leads to a chaotic mess of trying to enjoy summer while also keeping the bills paid.
my kids are getting older and it’s harder to pay attention to them. my oldest wants to talk about bras and whybshe can’t have a bikini or a smartphone and my youngest is constantly doing some art project that results in a mess. my patience is wearing and I find myself all too often hitting my bed at night thinking “I didn’t talk to them today. I didn’t see them today. not really.”
this was a great reminder for me that even though my job affords me the ability to be home with them all summer, being here physically isn’t the same as being present emotionally and mentally. I pray for the awareness to see when I’m just seeing them in passing and the strength to do the real spending time together.
-
This is such a great reminder! Thanks for sharing with us your thoughts!
-
❤️
-
Stay strong,mama!!
-
Praying Grace over you momma! Your heart is so tender and beautiful. Being a stay at home momma AND working from home is two full time jobs. Sometimes your presence alone is all their hearts need. Praying he empowers you to love well!
-
-
These verses in the Message translation jumped out to me today. This is our calling no matter what our day to day looks like!
“ 13-14Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” -
My daughter is having some friend issues at school. She carries a lot of anger/fear/bitterness. I don’t know how to help her. She’s only 9 years old and this has been building for 2 years. Please pray for my baby girl. And pray for my husband and I to have the wisdom and understanding to navigate this tough time with our daughter.
-
Lifting you and your family in prayer. Nothing hurts a parent’s heart like their child’s hurts. That age group can be awfully insensitive to downright mean.
I’m trying to encourage our kids to look for understanding as to why unkind people act the way they do (looking for attention, hurt feelings, scared, not enough sleep!). It doesn’t mean the actions are okay or make them hurt less but it starts a bridge towards forgiveness & figuring out appropriate, healthy ways to interact (like keeping your daughter safe if that’s an issue). I also pour on the love at home and pray with my kids for the situation and the people involved. Are there activities outside of school or through your church that might offer a different group of friends to help build her confidence back? Working with the school or the other parents?
It’s a tough time but as scripture told us today “ Be strong & courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:8 NLT
Sending big hugs for all of you!!! xoxoxo -
Praying for your daughter and you and your husband as you all to to deal with this emotional situation. Our parent hearts just so badly for our children as they try to maneuver through the minefield of relationships. I’m praying for your daughter what I prayed for mine when they were young – Lord, give her one good Godly friend who will have her back and bring out all the good qualities You put in her. And may my daughter do the same for her friend. Just one, Lord. I’m asking for just one. Thank you so much. Amen.
-
Love this prayer Churchmouse! As a kid I used to pray for a “kindred spirit” (I loved Anne of Green Gables!). My prayer was answered…. in college! And I was blessed ABUNDANTLY with 5 godly women that continue to be my dearest friends.
-
I just wrote this prayer in my journal for my three young sons. I should pray this for my husband too. He does not have this in his life
-
did your prayer work? Did God listen?
-
-
Just prayed for you, your daughter and husband. All will be well. We can trust God. Jeremiah 29:11.
-
Praying for your daughter – that must be agonising to watch
-
Post Comments (39)