Honor God, Spend Yourself

Hannah sings of the God who brings down the proud and raises the lowly. Paul, though free, makes himself a servant for the sake of the gospel. Together these readings teach one rule: do not grasp at your own honor, rights, or ease; honor God instead, and spend yourself that others may live.

Eli’s house fell not merely through error, but through dishonor. Sacred things were treated lightly, appetites were indulged, and the fear of God was neglected. Therefore the warning stands: “...since the Lord God Himself has said, Them that honour me I will honour; and he that despises me shall be despised. 1 Samuel 2:30...” Honor is not paid to God with words alone, but by obedience, restraint, and clean hands.

Paul shows the same pattern in another field. He had rights, yet he did not cling to them. He labored, adapted himself to the weak, and refused to make the gospel a cloak for gain. As Cyprian says of the apostolic way, “...that they may be saved. Be followers of me, as I also am of Christ. And again: To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. 1 Corinthians 9:22...” The faithful servant does not ask first, “What may I claim?” but “What may I surrender so that truth is not hindered?”

This cuts at pride, greed, and the tongue that boasts. It also instructs the church in plain duties: to handle holy things reverently, to bear costs without grumbling, to give up advantage for a brother’s good, and to seek no praise except that which comes from God. The Lord still weighs actions; therefore let us honor Him in body, speech, and use of our goods.