Focusing Leaders

I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ.... And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Shouldn’t we do the best job we can in whatever we do? Here Paul seems to be saying that he was purposefully simple rather than eloquent in his preaching, SO THAT the Corinthians would not believe because of his oratory or persuasiveness. Did he do less than his best so that God’s work would be more evident than his own talent? In conjunction with his simple approach (what is the relationship?), the Holy Spirit worked powerfully among them. The result was that they believed because of the Holy Spirit’s work, not because of Paul’s words.

Do I depend on God working in the same way? Or do I act as if ministry success all depends on my effort?

PRINCIPLE: Ministry success depends on the presence of God, not on the quality of my effort.

Lord, give me discernment to know how much effort to put into ministry, and give me faith to trust and see how you are going to work.