How St Paul Really Worked
St Paul worked for Christ. He worked about as hard as you can imagine. Just read the Acts of the Apostles. Read his Epistles. And all this effort and sacrifice came from a man who once persecuted anyone who believed in Jesus.
So when St Paul talks about his work, how hard he worked, I listen. What does he have to tell us?
In 1 Corinthians 15, he's talking about how he was an apostle, albeit the least of the apostles. He recognizes the fact that he persecuted Christians and so - given his past actions - puts himself on the bottom of the list of Apostles. Then he says something surprising. He says that even though he's the least or last of the Apostles, he's worked harder than them all.
The guy isn't shy.
So maybe you might think he's being a bit "egotistical" here. Is he patting himself on the back? Hardly. We find our what he really thinks in 1 Corinthians 15:10.
He doesn't play a game of false humility. He knows and he states plainly how hard he's worked to spread the Gospel. He knows that he's worked harder than everyone else.
But then he makes it clear that he's not looking for credit. It was "the grace of God" that deserved the credit.
So what can we Catholic men at work learn from St Paul here.
First, if you've done a great job and no one's recognized you, there's nothing wrong with calling attention to the work you've done. You don't have to. That's up to you. But there's certainly nothing wrong with it. You deserve recognition; maybe you deserve a raise; maybe you deserve a promotion. Whatever is just, that's what you deserve.
Second, it's important that you know that you've done this great job because of God's grace. Yes, I realize you want some credit. I do too. But, let's face it, it's God who works the good stuff in us; we're the ones who screw things up.
Third, if someone asks you - or maybe even if they don't - you can give credit to God. Of course, that's up to you. Maybe it's not appropriate sometimes. But if you just keep this idea in mind - the idea of giving credit where it's due, to God - you'll be surprised at how many times you'll be able to just come out and say it. And it won't be odd, or uncomfortable, or inappropriate, or anything like that.
Then, of course, you're spreading the Gospel. You're evangelizing. Just like Jesus told us we should do. And it'll be perfectly natural and comfortable because all you're doing is speaking the truth.
You don't have to be an expert in scripture. You don't have to debate points of theology. You don't have to stand up before a crowd and give "testimony." Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that some of us really aren't cut out for that stuff.
All you have to do is say something you're absolutely certain of - no scriptural expertise or debating skills or speaking skills needed. You just say what you know is true. And say it just like St Paul said it: plain and simple.
Thanks St Paul. Thank you for all your work. But special thanks for your honesty and your simple way of speaking the truth. You're a great example for all us Catholic men at work.
So when St Paul talks about his work, how hard he worked, I listen. What does he have to tell us?
In 1 Corinthians 15, he's talking about how he was an apostle, albeit the least of the apostles. He recognizes the fact that he persecuted Christians and so - given his past actions - puts himself on the bottom of the list of Apostles. Then he says something surprising. He says that even though he's the least or last of the Apostles, he's worked harder than them all.
The guy isn't shy.
So maybe you might think he's being a bit "egotistical" here. Is he patting himself on the back? Hardly. We find our what he really thinks in 1 Corinthians 15:10.
"But by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace in me hath not been void, but I have laboured more abundantly than all they: yet not I, but the grace of God with me."
See what he's doing?
He doesn't play a game of false humility. He knows and he states plainly how hard he's worked to spread the Gospel. He knows that he's worked harder than everyone else.
But then he makes it clear that he's not looking for credit. It was "the grace of God" that deserved the credit.
So what can we Catholic men at work learn from St Paul here.
First, if you've done a great job and no one's recognized you, there's nothing wrong with calling attention to the work you've done. You don't have to. That's up to you. But there's certainly nothing wrong with it. You deserve recognition; maybe you deserve a raise; maybe you deserve a promotion. Whatever is just, that's what you deserve.
Second, it's important that you know that you've done this great job because of God's grace. Yes, I realize you want some credit. I do too. But, let's face it, it's God who works the good stuff in us; we're the ones who screw things up.
Third, if someone asks you - or maybe even if they don't - you can give credit to God. Of course, that's up to you. Maybe it's not appropriate sometimes. But if you just keep this idea in mind - the idea of giving credit where it's due, to God - you'll be surprised at how many times you'll be able to just come out and say it. And it won't be odd, or uncomfortable, or inappropriate, or anything like that.
Then, of course, you're spreading the Gospel. You're evangelizing. Just like Jesus told us we should do. And it'll be perfectly natural and comfortable because all you're doing is speaking the truth.
You don't have to be an expert in scripture. You don't have to debate points of theology. You don't have to stand up before a crowd and give "testimony." Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just that some of us really aren't cut out for that stuff.
All you have to do is say something you're absolutely certain of - no scriptural expertise or debating skills or speaking skills needed. You just say what you know is true. And say it just like St Paul said it: plain and simple.
Thanks St Paul. Thank you for all your work. But special thanks for your honesty and your simple way of speaking the truth. You're a great example for all us Catholic men at work.
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