Watchman’s Daily Devotional: The Issue Paul Was Addressing Was Pride. Nothing Has Changed in 2000 Years

Pride was what Paul was talking about. It’s been 2000 years and nothing has changed. Still, we believe that our teacher or church is the right one. We have that view because we think we know more and are smarter than people who don’t agree with us. Paul told the Christians in Corinth that how you act shows how spiritually mature you are. A fight doesn’t help you grow. Give to others without expecting anything in return because you love them so much. This will show growth in your life.

The second question Paul asks in this verse is a key to being humble. What do you have that you didn’t get? God made us and gave us everything we have. All of our gifts from Him are our mind, body, food, and spiritual life. That takes away any reason to brag or feel good about yourself. We can only be proud of Him. A child may think they are better than other kids because they have nice clothes, but those clothes were given to them. The kid didn’t work for it or make it. We depend on other things. Every time we breathe, we need God.

The last question Paul asks is why we would brag about what we have as if it were our own. I’m sure the people he spoke to took a moment to think about what he asked them, as we all should. We know that if we fight against Paul’s reasoning, we might be asking God to show us that He is wrong by not blessing us. That’s not something Christians want to do because we know Paul is right. We have no reason to brag or think we are better than other people because we depend on God for everything, just like everyone else.

1 Corinthians 4:7

⁷ For who sees anything different in you? 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?