To Lose a Brother Is Worse Than Losing Money

The church is a family. It's meant to be close and relational and feel like home. That is why Paul is appalled with the lawsuits happening among the church in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 6:1–2 (ESV) When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

The short summary of this verse? Christians act silly when we think the world has more wisdom that we do! Paul has already told them "we have the mind of Christ." Jesus commanded us in Matthew 18 to go before the church body to settle disputes. Paul will later suggest (depending on what translatio you read) that even the least wise among them could be capable of settling disputes. That's the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

Why do we tend NOT to do this? Why do we take up our issues with people who do not belong to God? Perhaps not in court, but on facebook, at the office break room? Or with unsaved "blood" relatives?

What foolishness! If we have the Spirit of God in us, then we should be more than capable to judge and settle matters between ourselves without the intervention of someone apart from Christ the wisdom and power of God!

He says,
1 Corinthians 6:5–7 (ESV) I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

Even if we take it to the church and lose out... we don't lose! We still have a family. It's better to be wronged and still have a family in Christ than to be the one who takes advantage of others. And let's be honest, if you're worried about being "wronged" or "defrauded" by someone, it shows a lack of trust in Your Father's care and provision!  If He is Jehovah Jireh, then act like it! God will repay you for what you lose for the kingdom. 

Money is replaceable. A brother/sister in Christ is not! Money is not nearly as valuable as people. We show this to the world by letting it go when it really comes down to winning or losing money. 

PRAYER:

Father, help me see the value of people! Help me also to see the value of money in comparison. Help me to see people as made in your image and worth the blood of Your Son Jesus. Help me live like people matter most of all. In Jesus' Name. Amen.