It’s hard to focus on what is important today. Experts say that we get bombarded with thousands of images and ads meant to get our attention. It usually takes a worker twenty minutes to get back on task after an interruption. Paul was someone who didn’t let these distractions make him lose focus. To him proclaiming the Gospel was the only thing that matters.
Philippians 1:18
“What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice”
Pricey Preachers
There was a complaint in the church about preachers going around proclaiming the Gospel for financial gain. Speakers would go from town to town telling people about Jesus and then collecting an offering. It was apparent their motivation was the money. This bothered some people, but it didn’t bother Paul. If the Gospel was being preached, then he was going to rejoice. That is the only thing that matters. Paul knew something that would serve us all to learn. God was going to take care of it.
Are You Hearing Truth?
Paul was endorsing what these preachers were doing, but he knew it was up to the Holy Spirit to convict and correct them. It is easy for us to poke fun at some the popular preachers with their nice clothes, but what we need to judge them by is the Word of God. Are they preaching the truth, or is it humorous motivation that makes us feel good? If the preacher ain’t preaching the Bible, then you need to go somewhere that is.
The Only Thing That Matters
We are in the last days, and there are millions of people who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. Giving the food or clean water is a generous gesture, but it won’t get them into heaven. It takes someone telling them how to get there. Don’t lose focus. The only thing that matters is that Christ is proclaimed.