For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?
5 sermons cite this verse
… or 4 excuse me, verse 7. 1 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 7. It says, for who makes you to differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Listen to Paul's beautiful sarcasm. Now, if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? So for example, everything, think of Job. Naked I came into the world, naked I leave. blessed be the name of the Lord. Are you, please don't answer. That would be weird. But are you good looking? What? Okay, well. if you're not meeting up to the standards of Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive, or if you think you are, let's say you are attractive, whatever that is. That's another, I don't want to derail myself, but physical attraction toward another is actually mathematics. It's geometry. That's for another day. It has nothing to do with your perfume. It has nothing to do with your nose. It has to do with geometry. You should research in the psychology of the human mind what geometry does regarding attraction. …
1 Corinthians chapter four, verse seven. Who says you're better than others? What do you have that was not given to you by God? Everything you've got is a gift of God's goodness. The air you're breathing right now, the heart that is beating right now is a gift of God's goodness. And if it wasn't given to you, why do you brag as if you didn't receive it as a gift? It's all a gift, folks. Let me ask a real serious question. You want to be healthy? You want to live longer? Look at the next verse. Proverbs 14, 30, the Bible says, it's healthy to be content, but envy will eat you up. And the more you go out there and you look at what other people are doing, the more envious you get, the more jealous you get, and the more resentful you get. He said it will eat you up. Ecclesiastes 4, 6, it's better to be content with what you have than to always be struggling for more. …
… Who regards you as superior? and what do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you have not received it? You know what he was asking? He said, before you get boastful about some great achievement in your life, something you have, ask yourself the simple question, what good thing in my life cannot ultimately be traced to the hand of God? Your appearance? Oh, the reason I look so great is I work out and I eat right. That's why I look so great. Now, that's not what the Bible says. Psalm 139 verses 13 and 14 says, your appearance is a result of God's work in your life. For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are thy works, and my soul knows it very well. What are you proud about? Your possessions, your net worth, your balance sheet, the money you've got socked away and stocks and bonds, the business you've built. Oh, my possessions are the result of all my hard work. I work harder than anybody and I'm so shrewd in business. …
… leader and this preacher and that preacher. Paul asked a series of three questions. Watch, please. 1 Corinthians 4, 7. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Tell your neighbor, you're not that smart. The idea you had, that hurt your feelings a little bit? You feel like I'm attacking your IQ? No, I'm just saying there's a difference between a good idea and a God idea. And the ones that really change our lives are the ideas that come from God. How many know God can give you one idea that can revolutionize your company? One idea, one person to reach out to that can help you with the challenge you're dealing with that you don't know who to ask about. God can give you one idea that can result in a brand new path for your life. So, we learn to value what God gives. …
… not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You're already filled. You have already become rich. You have become kings without us. And indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. For I think God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless. And we toil, working with our own hands. …