Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. – 1 Corinthians 4:2-5 (NLT)
Paul’s words here are a powerful reminder to anyone in ministry: the ultimate evaluation of your work is in God’s hands, not man’s. His message is clear: while human feedback can be helpful, it is certainly not definitive. What truly matters is faithfulness to Christ who calls you.
This perspective is both freeing and challenging. Freeing, because we are not enslaved to the opinions of others. And challenging, because we’re all accountable to a higher standard – God’s. Paul knew this and refused to let human judgment, including his own, dictate his identity or his ministry.
Paul’s reluctance to trust even his own judgment speaks to a reality that many of us face. Some of us are overly critical of our efforts, paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy. Others of us excuse these shortcomings, blinding ourselves to areas where we need growth. But God sees it all – our faithfulness, our flaws, and our motives. His evaluation is perfect and complete.
Church leaders certainly don’t have an easy job. Not everyone sitting in the pews is eager to hear the hard truth of their sobering predicament without Christ. And not everyone is eager to hear a sermon that doesn’t align with the culture’s modern secular worldview. While this passage speaks directly to those leaders, it ultimately applies to all who serve Christ. Whether you’re leading a congregation, a Men’s Bible study, or showing hospitality to a neighbor, the goal is the same: faithfulness to God. True faithfulness seeks to honor Him, not to impress others or conform to the world’s compromising standard. Ministry – whether it’s preaching, teaching, or serving behind the scenes – is not about popularity or applause. It’s about stewardship. Like Paul, we must live and serve with an eternal perspective, trusting God to commend us according to His judgment and grace when the day comes.
Each one of us is a steward, entrusted with gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities to honor God and build His kingdom. May we be found faithful in His eyes.
Former Blackout Artist 