The Minister’s KPI Is Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 3:18-4:5

In rowing competitions, the crew work together to propel the boat forward to the finish line. They trained hard. Faithfully each day. Some are slower, others faster - which determines their position on the boat. But they’re one crew. The way they row, how their fans cheer them - are all aimed at winning. And when they win, all stand on the platform. And their prize belongs to them, their coaches, fans, nation. They return home as heroes. They belong to their country; to their fans. Everyone wins. All succeed. But it’s not always like that. Usually, there’s competition and rivalry. Who gets to go to the games? She should go - she trained the hardest. Yeah nah! He has the best chance of winning. Our society is success-oriented. And we reward the successful.

Sometimes this mindset invades the church. Success is measured by tangible results. KPIs. How much you do, the immediate fruits that are produced. But spiritual success must be defined differently. A minister’s success and KPI is his faithfulness. Remember God plays the long game. In the end, God will have a multitude of gloriously happy and fruitful saved people in heaven. How? Through ministers who labor faithfully. Some labor for years without fruit, only to have others harvest what they planted. But all rejoice in the end. Unfortunately, we have a very narrow vision. We want tangible success now. And we compare - like the carnal and divisive Corinthians. They compared ministers. Why? Because Greek paganism infiltrated the church. My philosopher is better than your philosopher. Only now in church, it was - my theologian is better than yours. And this narrow vision of pastors caused division. With a third pastor soon to be ordained, we’ll explore 2 truths from this passage. Firstly, the worldly wisdom of foolish men leads to a narrow vision. Secondly, the godly wisdom of God’s servants leads to patience.

Firstly, the worldly wisdom of foolish men leads to a narrow vision. Verses 18-19 say, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” Paul commanded them to be godly wise - to put away carnal comparison. Why? Because judging an apostle’s fruitfulness before the day of judgment is foolish. Paul himself said “let no man deceive himself” - don’t be deceived that this success orientation is wise. It’s actually very strongly worded in Greek. There’s the element of finality - stop deceiving yourselves. There’s the element of comprehensiveness - each one of you stop deceiving yourselves. Stop deceiving yourselves that this way of measuring success is wise. Don’t forget, they were comparing ministers, and Paul in verses 6-7 described him and as farmers. We just water and plant. God’s the one who produces fruit and gives increase. Ministry success is from God. Not the farmer.

And Paul gave a follow up command. If anyone has this worldly mindset, let him become a fool to become wise. This way of thinking is foolish - purify your way of thinking from pagan to Christian. When you do this, you’ll be wise. Remember, when David was a shepherd boy, God used him to conquer a giant; but when David started to count his troops, he endangered his kingdom. When Peter used the sword, he didn’t triumph; but when he used the Spirit’s sword, 3000 were converted in one day. God’s enemies were subdued a different but better way. Remember, when Barnabas gave selflessly, people were blessed and the church grew; but when Ananias gave shrewdly, he was blasted and the church feared. Jeremiah was a visible failure - no one listened to his preaching - but he did God’s will. There’s a pagan way and there’s a Christian way. Yes, Paul used strong words because these worldly babes thought they were wise. So he laid it plain to them in a logical way. There are divisions. Why? You’re carnal. You operate by this success oriented wisdom. But God alone gives success. So stop this pagan mentality. God thinks you’re foolish.

He also told them this worldly wisdom would be destroyed one day. In verse 19-20, Paul quoted 2 Old Testament verses. The first is in Job 5; it says that God catches men in their craftiness. Men are so smart that their smarts are their undoing. Like Haman! He was shrewd to maneuver the king to kill Mordecai - in the end, he died on his own gallows. Psalm 2 describes the kings of the earth conspiring against God’s anointed; but God has the last laugh. The point’s simple - we’re enamored by such shrewdness - But God’s not. And such attitudes will prove to be the undoing of a church. The next verse quoted is from Psalm 94 - the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they’re vain. The word “knows” describes how God knowingly ordains that such worldly wisdom comes to nothing. As 1 Corinthians 1:19 says, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” You know, there are many great and successful kingdoms, businesses, and corporations. In the end, they all fall. Babel, Babylon, Egypt, England, Rome, etc. Only God’s kingdom endures. And emphasizing men has always been the downfall of a church. Sure, the Vatican has great organization with a pope on top, but it doesn’t have the gospel. When our eyes are turned from Christ to man’s success, that’s the beginning of the end. It reminds us of verse 12 - if any man’s work is built on the worldly wisdom of wood, hay, and stubble - it’ll burn up. Looks good to man and successful - but it’s nothing to God.

But what God is building is something glorious. Verses 21-23 speak about the reward of the wise. Do you know why you shouldn’t boast in any minister. It’s too narrow a vision. Saying - this minister is not so insightful; the other one more - reflects a substandard vision. By doing this, they were missing out on all God had for them. Paul emphasized - everything belongs to you! To grow, you need to be planted, watered, pruned. Paul may have planted, but Apollos with his rhetorical skills watered. Peter was more brash, so maybe he pruned. Whatever. Some ministers are more intellectual - we need that. Some are more devotional - we need that too. Some are more confronting - we also need that. All are given to you, with their different gifts for your growth. To select one above the other, when all are given for your benefit is foolish. If you receive all, then you’ll grow. If you continue in worldliness, you won’t grow!

Dearly beloved, our rowers all belong to us - the weaker, stronger, slower, faster - all are given for our glory. They’re one crew. Those that plant, who water, who pick weeds - all are given to us for our good. To reject, compare, or dismiss won’t lead to growth. In verse 22 Paul emphasized that God has given us everything for our benefit - the world, life, death, things present and things to come. Including ministers! If we receive their ministry, we’ll grow. That’s the reward. But it’s also our responsibility. Verse 23 says, “And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” If you’re a Christian, put away the pagan ideas of ministry success. Why? You belong to Christ and Christ doesn’t think this way! Neither does God. Christ succeeded by being faithful when he stretched out his arms and died. So what are we responsible for doing? Love not the world.

Secondly, the godly wisdom of God’s servants leads to patience. Verses 1-2 say, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Paul also says in verse 4 says, “he that judgeth me is the Lord.” We see here that God judges his ministers for faithfulness. To be sure, there’s still a criteria. And Paul made it clear how ministers should be evaluated. And he first broke down that hero worship. Who were the apostles? Before, he called them farmers. Now, he called them servants and stewards. Yes, have a proper regard for them; but in the end, they’re servants - not lords. The word for servant is not the more common “doulos” meaning slave but “hyperetas” referring to a special servant. The “hyperetas” was the “under-rower”. In large ships with lower galleys, these rowers would propel the ship forward, listening to the voice and beat of their pilot. Meaning, ministers serve Christ, listening to his voice to propelling the church toward heaven.

The second word Paul used was the word “steward.” Literally, the one who’s entrusted. This servant was the household manager. Compared to the master, he was still a slave. This is what Joseph was under Potiphar. And as a steward, Paul and the other apostles were responsible for regulating the household. How did they do that? While stewards manage money - to dispense and save; Paul managed the mysteries of God. He preserved and protected the gospel, and the dispensed it to the people by preaching. That’s what a minister must be faithful in doing. What do we want from our ministers? We want the Word. We want him to preach it. When we go to him for counsel, we want the Word - not the wisdom of man. We want not just comfort, but confrontation at times. We want him to teach us to exalt Christ, and that we won’t exalt self. We want his laws, his rod and staff which comfort us. We don’t want the comfort of the world. We want to be convicted to love Christ more, not the world. That’s why we want him to study. We want him to pray. We want him to give us nothing but the pure Word of God. And in all of his ruling and planning, and administration to be faithful in doing that. He’s a servant of God, and steward of the Gospel. To be clear, beloved, as custodians of the Word, we do not work for you. Christ is our master. And we serve Christ by feeding the church. And if God’s our master, he’s the only one who has the right to test and judge us. Verse 2 - “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Verse 4 - “he that judgeth me is the Lord.”

God tests ministers for faithfulness in being stewards of the Word. God does not judge his ministers for their worldly rhetorical skills. Moses said he couldn’t speak. God said - you’ll be my preacher - I’ll put my words in you. To be sure, the world looks to dynamic men who exercise leadership, imbued with certain dynamic qualities and eloquence. But Moses how? Paul was even accused of timidity in the presence of the Corinthians. But God judges based on faithfulness to the calling - as a steward of God’s Word. Sure, not everyone is gifted in the same way. But we’re not judged on giftedness, but faithfulness. In the parable of the talents, we see some have more talents than others. But 5 talent one made 5 more talents. The master never expected the 2 talent one to make 5. But he took issue with the 1 talent one - who was not faithful to multiply it. God expects faithfulness to the abilities that we have. So ministers must develop their following skills. Sure, leadership skills are important - but far more important is to be a follower of God. Because God calls ministers to be faithful to him. Verse 2 – “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Faithful means reliable, trustworthy, and loyal to the master. The word “require” in means to “seek in order to find.” God’s looking carefully for this requirement of faithfulness in stewards of the Word. Ministers are specially called to study and teach the Word. Elders are specially called to rule according to that Word. Deacons are specially called to dispense mercy to exemplify the Word. But we can do so many things - good things - spending time and effort on them but without being faithful to what God has called us to do. And that’s the most unfortunate thing. Working hard, but not doing what God wants us to do.

Once a wealthy woman asked her servant to tidy up the 2nd guest bedroom. There was a very important guest coming to stay. The instructions were specific - 3 plush pillows of goose down on the bed; a jar of cold water with 3 drinking glasses on the side table - one to drink, one to rinse mouth, one to soak dentures. The servant followed these instructions. But when the guest arrived, his room was unmade. You see, the hostess specified the 2nd room but the servant prepared the 1st bedroom. There are many things to do in church. But we can do so much to the exclusion of our primary calling. Now, to be clear, it’s not that there shouldn’t be evaluation of ministers. There should. In our visitations, we ask for feedback. Are you growing from the Word? Are you comforted, challenged, confronted by the Word? Do you understand the ministry of the Word. Is the preacher preaching the Word? We have pulpit reviews. And in our church polity, we practice the censura morum where we examine each other on the discharge of our duties. These are all done to ensure the minister’s faithfulness.

But because God ultimately judges, Paul wasn’t concerned with judging himself if he was fruitful or not - as long as he was faithful. He didn’t fear the judgment of others. He said in verses 3-4 - “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. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.” When it comes to ministers, there are often 2 prevailing alarming attitudes. One is that of adoration. A few years ago, Kong Hee was jailed for mismanaging church funds - but he was blindly supported by his church - even informing them that Jesus was sorry for putting him through that ordeal. The other prevailing attitude is that of disrespect. Many ministers, elders, and deacons have been criticized, misjudged, and derided. They’re not good enough or not doing enough. 6 days invisible, 1 day incomprehensible! What would Paul’s response be? If he was faithful as a steward of the mysteries of God, that was good enough. It’s a small thing to be judged by you. I don’t even judge myself. I plant, I water, sometimes I reap. He didn’t do too well in Athens. Maybe he only planted the seed. That’s already faithfulness. God gave him increase elsewhere. So Paul said - I don’t judge myself either. Because he recognized God will judge in the end. Paul was essentially saying that his success was not measured by what they thought of him in their worldly evaluation. The judgment of his success lay with God.

And so his word to the Corinthians was simple. Verse 5 - “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.” Judge not. Now, don’t judge doesn’t mean never judge. Yes, judge righteous judgments - judge your ministers on whether they’re giving you the word. But don’t judge means don’t write off the minister. The Corinthians were like judges making pronouncements even before the race had ended - because the apostles were not meeting the KPIs they set for them. Not eloquent enough. But Paul’s point was this - the unseen work of prayer, of laboring in the Word, of counsel will be brought to light one day. How faithful or how slothful he was. When it’s all said and done on that day - everything will be known. In New England, 2 Reformed ministers labored for decades without fruit. William Tennant and Jacob Freylinghuysen. Then swept in Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield - and revival broke out. Imagine without hindsight, how people would’ve judged Tennant and Freylinghuysen. Don’t judge prematurely.

But very clearly, while Paul was saying judge not, he was also hinting to them - don’t let that prevent you from judging yourselves. Clearly you have this foolish pagan attitude. Remember, at the end of our service, God’s not going to say, “well done, thou good and successful servant” but “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” And for any minister that thinks he’s doing a lot of work - no one does enough. When we’ve done what God has commanded us to do, we can only conclude we’re unprofitable servants, we’ve only done our duty. Gospel debt is never paid up.

Dearly beloved, what’s the application here? It seems as if this is such a self-serving sermon. But did I give you the pure Word? And so the application is simple. You must pray for your ministers - that they’d be faithfully dispensing the mysteries of God. When you don’t want the Word, you must cry for it to be preached to you. When you want to walk astray, you must obey them that have the rule over you - who watch for your souls. When you’re drawn away by doctrines of the world, allow your pastor to correct you and draw you back to the pure gospel. That you’d receive your ministers with all gladness, and hold, such in reputation. Remember that God himself speaks through them and beseeches you. Receive the Word which they, according to the Scripture, shall preach unto you, not as the word of man, but as it is in truth, the Word of God. If you do these things, the peace of God shall enter your houses, and when you receive them, you shall receive the reward, that through his preaching, you shall inherit life eternal.

To those who serve God, be faithful to God in your service. To those brothers who desire the ministry, stir up your gifts. And to our brother who has sustained the exam, preach the Word. In the face of worldliness, shrewdness, and paganism even in this church, you will and must preach the foolishness of the cross. That Christ crucified is the wisest of all wisdoms - that his life given in exchange for the lives of sinners gives us life, and more abundantly so. Be faithful to proclaim this message unto death. That you and your crew would propel God’s people to Christ and heaven.

1. The Worldly Wisdom of Foolish Men Leads to a Narrow Vision

A. The command to be godly wise

B. The destruction of worldly wisdom

C. The reward of the truly wise

2. The Godly Wisdom of God’s Servants Leads to Patience

A. God judges his ministers for faithfulness

B. God’s faithful ministers don’t fear man’s judgment

C. Let man judge not but himself

Conversation for Change: