Would you believe me if I told you that when I was a youngster, I may have been a bit of a smart alec? I hate to say it, but my mom and dad on more than one occasion accused me of ‘thinking’ I was too big for my britches! It primarily had to do with my attitude and a faulty thought process that assumed I was smarter and wiser than my parents.
Today if you google the phrase “too big for your britches” you’ll find a number of definitions that are similar in nature. They illustrate this phrase to mean someone who thinks too highly of themselves or is a bit conceited. Historically, if we did further research we’d find that the earliest known use of this phrase was by the real Davey Crockett, in the early 1800's. He coined the phrase based on the observation of a fellow frontiersman, Andrew Jackson. The soon to be President was known to be easily angered, impulsive, and cantankerous.
However, let’s go back even further in history. Let’s visit Paul during his 3rd missionary journey and see what he has to say to the church in Corinth. It has a familiar ring to it…
I Corinthians 4:8-13.
Can you say sarcasm? Paul wastes no time in getting their attention about their current attitude about themselves and the apostles. “You think you already have everything you need…You think you are already rich…You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us...We are weak, but you are so powerful…You are honored, but we are ridiculed…” (New Living Translation excerpts) As we read the account of this one sided conversation, one might ask…what was going on here?
As we dive into the circumstances and surroundings of
Paul’s day and time we find that the Christians in Corinth were struggling.
Corinth was a trade city. It is located about 2 miles south of a 4 mile wide
isthmus (a land bridge between to bodies of water). Corinth controlled two
major trade regions for Asia and Rome. Therefore due to all the regional
influences of their day the First Christian Church of Corinth was spiritually immature.
Here in Chapter 4 Paul is dealing with a faulty belief and attitude system that
had infiltrated the church. Somehow the church had begun to ‘belittle’ those in
ministry, particularly Paul and the apostles of the day. They had become
hostile and critical of those God had appointed to preach the Gospel.
Now with our brief history lesson, let’s go back and
reread Paul’s dialogue…do you get the sarcasm now? Paul’s approach or defense
is not meant to be disrespectful or appear cruel, but yet it is a stern
reminder to the church that God himself appoints, examines and judges those he
has called to be stewards of the his Word. It’s as if the Corinthian
Christians, in arrogance, had elevated themselves above Paul and the other
ministers…in other words…they had gotten ‘too big for their britches!’
You know I have to ask…’Do we ever get like that?” Do we
ever start thinking too highly of ourselves and our own ‘understanding’ of
things and reject the men and women God has placed in leadership? Do we
disregard the teachings from our Pastors and Ministers because “we think we
know better?” Do we dishonor or slander the church and/or the leadership
because they’ve instructed us in Biblical truths that are contrary to our
lifestyles, choices or viewpoints? Do we hold back our tithes and offerings
because the leadership ‘offends’ us? Do we ever belittle or judge harshly those
God has anointed and called into ministry?
Tough questions for sure, but ones that we need to
constantly check. Bottom line is…we need to extend humility and respect to
everyone and that includes those called into ministry and service by God. Our
Pastors, Ministers and Elders have a hard, heavy responsibility. They are
accountable for accurately teaching, preaching and living the Gospel message
daily, hourly and minute to minute. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should
become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will
be judged more strictly.” Those in Christian leadership and ministry have a
higher code of conduct you might say. Their influence can encourage others or
cause someone to stumble. So, instead of judging our Pastors and Ministers
let’s yield humbly to their authority and honor them.
Here is a link to our church website. This link will take
you directly to the Northside Staff
page. Scroll down and look over it. Pick a couple of staff members and pray
over them. Pray for their walk with Christ, pray for their ministry. Pray for
their health and pray for their families. You can also send them a note or
email of encouragement, express your appreciation for their service and
ministry here at Northside.
Let’s never take on the attitude that we are ‘too big for
our britches’ unless of course we’ve gained a few pounds…and well, let’s hope
that’s not the case! : )
-Christy Garison, Serve Minister
No comments:
Post a Comment