One of the greatest obstacles the Apostle Paul faced was other Christians who thought they knew as much as he. Paul was a very learned Jew, had an encounter himself with Jesus Christ, and then spent much time with Jesus' own disciples in Jerusalem.
Paul was filled with the Spirit of God to teach the gospel and ethics to the Christians throughout Asia; however, Paul ran into people who attended the church at Corinth who thought they were better and had more understanding than Paul.
In our Christian community you will find there are many people who are unapproachable. You cannot talk to them about the Bible without them trying to show you they know everything you are about to say and more. They have snooty attitudes and often are not interested in what you have to say.
This is the very thing Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, about and is a subject we are to understand as well.
You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us--and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 1 Corinthians 4:8-12 (NKJV)
The city of Corinth was a shipping port and was a business hub along the trade route to Asia. Therefore, there were many financially stable people and some were wealthy. It is believed that this church had roughly one hundred fifty to two hundred members from within this community.
When Paul tells them they are already full and rich, Paul is speaking towards their adaptation of how the church should operate according to the doctrines passed on from Jesus' Apostles.
These, who were in control of the church, had adapted business practices and attitudes from the society in which they lived. In Corinth, those with financial success were community leaders with respect and honor. The wealthy were even known for building great structures as a symbol of their might.
The approached church in the same manor. They managed the church affairs as a business plan and authority was delegated according to their own wisdom.
Now enter Paul and those he traveled with and the conflict began first by appearance and second by status.
"We are poorly clothed. We hunger and thirst. We have been beaten and are homeless." Paul also tells them though they have been resisted, yet they continue to bless others and endure persecution.
Paul was gracious in the way he approached these Corinthians; he commented that he too would not mind having ruling with them. Yet Paul had taken on humbleness; for when he was wealthy and increased in knowledge, Christ appeared to him and showed him that he truly was poor and knew nothing.
Paul was called as an apostle to carry the gospel to the church and to forever be a student of the word. Paul was called to leave behind his old life and take nothing with him. Paul would never be able to return to his belongings, his own people, and even his own family. Paul was called to take up the burden of the cross.
In John's Revelation of Jesus Christ, we also find the word “now ye are rich.” In this communication to a church in Laodicea, Jesus said "you are in need of nothing;" which is to say, you "think" you are in need of nothing. However, Jesus tells them, "you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."
It was a bad thing these in Corinth thought themselves to have no need to be taught; thinking themselves to be wise, they had become fools. As Christians we are to remain teachable and open to reproof by God.
Pastors and teachers sometimes feel this way from the amount of hours of study they have committed to knowing the scriptures. They get so used to teaching they have trouble being taught. Some have close themselves to God who often reveals great truths through lowly sources. To God, this is spiritual pride and it stinks.
Paul does not tell them it is a bad desire to espier to lead. In fact, we are told by scripture one day all Christians will rule with Christ; Yet not all of us can rule now. Our position now is to be like Christ and have the mind of a servant giving our time, resources, and care to others which need healing from Jesus.
Paul was called to be an Apostle and there was no prestige in this position. He said “I am weak,” and considered himself to need strength from the Lord. But the Corinthians were portraying themselves as strong, full of wisdom, and having an abundance of skill. This was not a good thing.
And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 1 Corinthians 4:12-14 (NKJV)
Leaders are to be servants, not to be served. In Corinth there was a need for a shift in thinking. They needed leaders selected by God, not leaders selected by their earthly successes.
The church is to be led by those who are spiritually wealthy. Those rich in love and service for others, are they we are to select our leaders from. A person who uses the wisdom of God will strengthen a church. Yet a business model will stifle and constrain the Spirit of God.
Those who are servants give up their own needs to focus on the needs of others. They invest their energy and resources, use commerce to enable them to serve. Paul sewed tents just to make the money he needed for food and shelter. He also raised funds and gave of his own resources to help the poor.
Around the world you will find people who think they are rich. Pastors and evangelists who drive expensive cars, eat expensive food, stay in expensive hotels, and their service is nothing more than a stage show.
These are not called of God, they are self proclaimed; and the greed for the crowds they command and the harvest of money is why churches hire them to come. These are a modern day reflection of the church administration and practices in Paul's Corinth.
For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 (NKJV)
The Corinthians were making a large mistake and Paul was counseling to revive them; to wake them up before they became a tragedy of stinky pride.
We, the Church of Christ, need pastors who are servants, teachers open to receive. Administrators who are led by the Spirit of God and committed to pray over every decision.
When the world says, "Go, invest, spend," we need fools for Christ waiting on revelation and leadership from God. These will make decisions which go against sound business practices, investment strategies, and can even cause financial hardships. Yet if we have servants they will do what is needed to get by. By these actions the church will grow and God will bring the increase.
