Bigger, better, more?

 
Someone close to us belongs to a large cult. Yesterday he called and boasted of an upcoming international gathering that would be a huge bonus to the city he lives in. Several times he mentioned that thousands of people would attend. I didn’t know what to say, but the Apostle Paul did. 

He wrote to the church at Corinth that were inundated with false teachers. He first urged them to keep the promise they made in giving, and to do it without expecting any payback. However, he also told them that, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. . . . (because) He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6–12)

Then he addressed the boasting of the false teachers by reluctantly doing the same thing, but not boasting about his power but his hardships and weaknesses…

To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. (2 Corinthians 11:21–33)

Thinking of this, I could have told the cult member who boasted of the size of their gathering that I’ve seen God do amazing things through one person or just a few. What about the boy who offered five loaves and two fish? What about Paul? What about Martin Luther, or Billy Graham? God isn’t interested in the efforts of many and their boastings. 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

He offers redemption and eternal life through the efforts of One, and through the weakness of His death. He uses ordinary men and women who are weak in themselves and relying on His grace and power to do whatever He asks. Paul learned this:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10)

With that description, Paul challenges his readers to make certain they have faith and that Christ lives in them. It isn’t about their numbers or power, it is about Jesus and their love for Him. 

PRAY: I understand Paul’s thinking. He was glad when he was weak because You could then use him to reach and strengthen others. Again, this is not about boasting or trying to make an impression with numbers or statistics. You use weakness, and while I don’t like it, I do know that when I am weak, others can be blessed.