Paul wanted to add the spiritual value of knowing God to these people, and that is vital.
The Lord says,
“Wise people should not boast that they are wise.
Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful.
Rich people should not boast that they are rich.
If people want to boast, they should boast about this:
They should boast that they understand and know me.
They should boast that they know and understand
that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth
and that I desire people to do these things,”
says the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
: That progress and joy of faith mentioned in the previous verse is the true value, the true valuable thing.
The knowledge of God that Paul was going to impart would be the source of their rejoicing.
That is the difference between Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.
Mary was not doing anything valuable in the eyes of men, but not in the eyes of God, being at the feet of Jesus, listening to the eternal words.
The one who boasts, God said in Jeremiah, should boast that he knows him. That is the real increase, that is treasure in heaven where no moth can get to and no thief can get (Matthew 6:19-20).
It is about valuing things that are spiritual rather than material.
In another place, Paul said he longed to see some people so that he could impart some spiritual gift to them (Romans 1:11-12).
That emphasis on spiritual life should not be lost. Paul told other people they should keep thinking about things in heaven and not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).
That may be a hard message to swallow, but it's not surprising that God values things differently from us. Nor should it be surprising that we should serve God rather than him serving us. Still, the erroneous message in some cycle of a God who is all about givig us things, rather than shaping is insufficient. I call it a jaundiced view of God.
God has critical things to do in your life, beyond filling your bank account. And I am not preaching a poor God or a God who wants us to be poor.
Far from it. But we should not live in the plain of man, but hear the Spirit say in Revelation 4:1, Come up here.
Paul wrote that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but a new creature (Galatians 6:15).
I want to restate it as neither poverty nor riches count for anything, but a new creature.
Paul said whatever thing was gain to him in the natural sense, he counts it as dung for the excellency of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).
Have you ever looked at the city you live in these words in your spirit: Here we have no lasting city, but we wait for the one to come where dwells righteousness (Hebrews 13:14)?
Have you looked at your bank account and seen the millions there? God tells you, "Do not put your hope in uncertain riches, but on God ."
Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17)
What I am talking about is spiritual thinking, where it is not about what impresses man, but what impresses God, who does not look at the appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
And when we see Ephesians 4, we hear the purpose of the apostles, prophets, etc, which is to prepare the saints for the work of ministry, which involves growing up into Christ, being rooted and grounded in him.
These have nothing to do with material possession and making it there.
This is not an anti-making-it message, but a warning against losing your perspective and falling prey to false teachers whose god is their belly. They focus on earthly things and, day in and day out, program believers to be earthly-minded, keeping them as perceptual babies. It is sad.
Paul did not claim to have an anointing for wealth to give to these people; instead, he emphasized progress in faith and joy.
But this faith is not like a key to get things from God.
Paul said he has the authority to build them up spiritually. Let me tell you, if the result of salvation is what people can get through other means, we have a false gospel being proclaimed by false preachers. That is the truth.
Jesus said those things will be added to you, but the additions are not the main thing.
But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
Do you understand?
