1 Corinthians 4:1

1 Corinthians 4:1 says, Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Paul told the early Christians and tells us today that we are to count all who proclaim the gospel as ministers of Christ.  We are indeed stewards of the mystery of salvation, and it will always be a mystery to those who do not accept salvation by faith.  We can never prove that Christ died for the sins of all mankind, because the only way to know this is true is by faith in God.  We may be able to prove that a person named Jesus lived and was crucified, but when we acknowledge Him as the Son of God, the promised Messiah, this can only come through faith.  This remains a mystery to those of the world who do not come to Christ in faith.  Verse two adds, Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  Paul firmly stated that stewards must be faithful to those that they serve.  We, as stewards of God, must always remain faithful to His word.  An unfaithful steward may decide that the things of his master are there for his use and benefit, but if he is caught using them for himself, he will be held accountable.  We, as followers of Christ, have been promised that if we are obedient to God, all our needs will be met.  Yet, we are too often unfaithful and thereby rob God.  Though Paul addressed this to ministers, I believe it applies to all believers as well.  Verse three continues, But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. Paul said the judgments of men were of very little concern to him.  He was not going to change his life based on the judgment of man, nor even on how he might judge his own life.  He had been judged by God on the road to Damascus, and after that, God's direction and judgment were all that mattered.  As followers of Christ today, what the world says about us should not matter.  Our faithfulness to God is all that is important.  Verse four states, For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.  Just like Paul said, we can know nothing of ourselves, but only what God reveals to us.  We may judge ourselves to be justified in all that we think and do, but if it is not in accordance with God's will, ultimately, He will judge us.  Verse five adds, Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.  We are not called to be judges, but to be witnesses.  All things will be judged by God in the fullness of time.  What we may see as good may not stand in the light of God's judgment.  Verse six continues, And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. Paul said these teachings applied to Apollos and himself as well.  Paul warned them not to think of men as more than what they were.  We are all servants of God if we are followers of Christ, and there is no room to become puffed up.  We are to follow God and not any man, no matter how successful he may be in spreading the gospel.  God always gives the increase.