Daily Bible Plan - 1. Corinthians

30. July 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living your Faith in the Public Sphere

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

📖 Faithful Stewards in an Unfaithful Generation

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1–5

By Rev. Joseph Antwi

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

— 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (ESV)

🔍 Devotional Reflection:

What does it mean to be faithful?

Faithfulness is the highest form of loyalty. It means being consistently committed to a calling or responsibility—even when it’s difficult, inconvenient, or unseen. In today’s generation, it’s increasingly rare to find faithful people. Many come to church broken, receive their healing or breakthrough, and disappear. They jump from church to church, seeking convenience rather than covenant. But true faithfulness endures through seasons—not just the easy ones.

At Fortified City Church (FCC) and Love City Church (LCC), we do not assign spiritual leadership—such as Deacon, Elder, or Ministry Leader—without first observing consistent, proven faithfulness. Gifts may attract attention, but only faithfulness qualifies you for trust.

⚠️ Unreliability Destroys Trust

Let’s be real—even in the secular world, no company hires or promotes an unreliable person. I’ve interviewed candidates for positions in my company, and one common question is:

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

This isn’t just about ambition—it’s a test of faithfulness and stability. If someone quickly says, “I want to become CEO in one year,” we admire the ambition—but we won’t hire them. Why? Because we’re looking for someone who will be reliable and committed to the current role.

In both the corporate world and the Kingdom of God, promotion is the reward for faithfulness, not wishful thinking.

Jesus said:

“Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.”

— Luke 16:10 (NIV)

💡 A Real Example

I remember hearing a situation of a young man in a certain church who was given a position to serve. He was entrusted with a small department and asked to lead, organize, and mobilize. But he was inconsistent and lacked initiative.

Instead of taking the opportunity seriously, he spent more time desiring the pulpit—to preach, be seen, and be heard. When leadership didn’t give him that larger platform, he became bitter and angry, and eventually left the church.

But here’s the truth:

“If you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?”

— Luke 16:12 (NKJV)

Had he been faithful in the little, his pastor would have gladly entrusted him with more.

⚖️ Judging Before the Time

Paul continues by addressing another spiritual danger—judging before the appointed time. He writes:

“It is the Lord who judges me… Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.” (1 Corinthians 4:4–5)

Many believers today operate with a critical spirit. They judge sermons, worship styles, offering practices, leadership decisions, how others pray, dance, or serve—without full knowledge or spiritual maturity.

Jesus Himself warned:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged…”

— Matthew 7:1–2 (NIV)

A critical spirit corrupts a church. It destroys unity, hinders spiritual growth, and quenches the presence of God. David said:

“I do not concern myself with matters too great or too wonderful for me.”

— Psalm 131:1 (NIV)

God sees what we cannot. Judging prematurely puts us in danger of dishonoring what God is doing behind the scenes.

🔥 Final Exhortation

If God has called you to FCC or LCC, your loyalty to God and to His church is not optional—it is essential. We are called to build, not break; to support, not sabotage.

I began in church leadership as a member first. Then I started singing in the choir as a tenor singer for some years. I later became an instrumentalist, and I served faithfully. I can’t even remember the last time I missed a choir rehearsal. From there, I became a music director, then Youth President, then music director again, then a church leader, Presiding Elder, and now by the grace of God, a Pastor.

That was my journey. And through each stage, I served—imperfectly, but faithfully and joyfully. Even with all of that, like Paul, I cannot fully judge myself or say where I was always right or wrong. But this I know: I was available.

What can God trust you with?

• Are you an usher? Serve with excellence.

• Are you a musician? Worship without complaint.

• Are you a department head? Lead with diligence and humility.

• Are you a volunteer? Be dependable and joyful.

Don’t expect to be trusted with the pulpit if you’ve abandoned your post behind the scenes. Don’t let offense or ambition rob you of divine promotion.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.”

— Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

🙏 Prayer

Lord, make me a faithful servant in Your house. Help me honor every assignment, whether big or small. Deliver me from a critical spirit and unreliable tendencies. Teach me to serve with joy, humility, and consistency. May I be trusted with more because I was faithful in what You gave me first. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In love,

Reverend Joseph Antwi

Fortified City Church, Love City Church, Global Prayer Hub