WORKING AND SUPPORTING HIMSELF FOR LIVING
1Corinthians 4.9-12
"and we toil working with our own hands." (12). Paul was proud and his pride was righteous when he mentioned his physical works, not as missionary but as one who support himself without being burden to anyone else. (Acts 18.1-3, 20.33-35, 28.30-31) (1Corinthians 4.11-12) (1Thessalonians 2.9, 4.11-12) (2Thessalonians 3.6-12).
Paul also mentioned his condition of him and his companions as being, "poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless," (11). Despite such discomfort and misery of their living conditions Paul still proudly declared that they are, "toil, working with our own hands," (12) means, they support themselves by their physical works and depended on no one.
Paul also reveals that they are became, "a spectacle to the world," means they do things that the world considered unwise and foolish, but from the Paul's point of view and his companions, they are prudent in Christ (10) Who did the same things, and this is the true wisdom for those who are in Christ and not in the world.
Paul even goes as far as saying that he is the "father" to the church through the Gospel of Christ (15) that he reveals to them. Paul said that they have many tutors but not all of them so close to them and worry of them as he does, and because of this he is they "father" and they are his "children" in the Gospel of Christ.
KINGDOM OF GOD DOES NOT CONSIST IN WORDS, BUT IN POWER
1Corinthians 4.20
This statement echoes many other similar statements concerning words and deeds. Word "power" means force, action, effort, work. It is not in Spiritual terms Paul mentioned it but purely expressed in physical action. It is a result, outcome, and consequence of Spiritual decision coming from the Spirit of GOD as Command, or from the spirit of a Christian driven by the Holy Spirit.
As it has been said before, true justification before GOD comes not from words but from deeds, and this statement also relates and to GOD as the great Creator of everything, Who by His Power of His Word created everything what exist. A word in it itself without Action is worthless and useless, and the only time then a word is meaningful is then it produces some Action and its result.
In the beginning of Genesis is written that GOD said a Word and immediately His Word turned to Action in Creation of the world. The Word of GOD is the Power, Action, and Work of Creation. So, the same things GOD expected and from us, not only words but also and action.
We have the same power of action in our words, but if we say many words but nothing is happened, we are empty vessels and useless Christians who saying and promises many things but do not do anything to produce results of our own words. Do you think that GOD will accept such Christians who is only talk but do anything to prove his/her words?
If you fulfill you pledges and your words to Christ and do the work what Jesus required from you, you also bounding you works in Heaven, in the Kingdom of GOD. This is why Kingdom of GOD does not exist in words only but also in Good Deeds done according to your words on Earth.
Matthew 16.19
19. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you shall loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven.'
Matthew 18.18
18.Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven.
If you have no Deeds but only words, nothing goes to Heaven on your behalf. Even your Faith also must be proven by your Deeds, otherwise what you will present to your Lord then He as your Master will ask you to show Him the fruit of your labor on Earth?
Remember the parables of Christ concerning workers in the vineyard and slaves to whom their master gave money to invest? That will actually happen and in Heaven, and woe to one who comes before GOD empty handed!