Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 29 & 30; 1 Corinthians 10; Ezekiel 8; Psalm 46 & 47
1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are a family. We are instructed by God’s Word to love one another. We are to consider one another and not just live selfish lives of indulgence and self gratification. What would a church be like that everyone loved each other and wanted everyone else to be wealthy in Christ? By this I do not mean materially wealthy. I mean spiritual wealth! We are here instructed by God’s Word to seek for others to grow in wealth. In the Corinthian church personal liberty was the issue of the day. It seems the Corinthians valued personal liberty above all else. They apparently had a motto:
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Now that the Corinthians were in Christ they were so excited that they were not under any form of law that they had become antinomians. They basically said that there was no law for them and they could do whatever they wanted. This attitude always leads to selfishness and that is what the Holy Spirit is correcting with his Word. As followers of Jesus we are free but we are bound by the law of love. This law puts others ahead of us and seeks for others to benefit. If my liberty in Christ is not expedient or profitable for others, it is not honoring to Christ. If my liberty does not edify or build others up, it is not glorifying to Christ. My freedom in Christ must lead me to love as he loved.
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Who are you helping to improve in Christ? Who are you showing Christian love to? When you go to gather with the church do you go to get or to give? If we live bound by the law of love, we will love God above all else and love others. When we do this we are bringing glory to Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
When you seek the wealth of others that is truly profitable in Christ!
In Christ,
Rody
