We dare not judge others, knowing that there is only one Judge Who will matter in the end. How does the coming judgment affect our understanding of and relationships with others?

We are warned about the dangers of poverty, both financial and spiritual, in this chapter. It is the spiritual poverty of greed that leads many to financial ruin, as our financial system is designed to reward the rich and further impoverish the poor. But worse than suffering the effects of financial poverty is the corrosive effect of spiritual poverty, which allows one to justify impoverishing another for greedy personal gain.

When we walk in the Lord's way, there is confidence that comes from following a true path. Even if we get distracted, or sidetracked, or stumble along the way, so long as we seek the Lord's way, we are heading in the right direction.

Paul was very concerned about the Corinthians who seemed to be prepared to accept any false teacher, but were reluctant to embrace his tried and true words. We do well today to test the spirits, to see if we are listening to those whose words are in accord with scripture or contrary to it.

We live in a world full of people who have been conditioned to think that projecting an image of self is not only acceptable, it's the way to be. Even if their projected image is a fiction, they expect to win acceptance for who they are pretending to be. God's people don't need to project or imagine, because we know who we are, and know that everyone will be known for who they are (not who they pretend to be) in the end.

We used to talk of common sense, but so many are so far from the Lord that I now refer to wisdom as not-so-common sense. We explore the blessings of not-so-common sense in general and particularly in family life.

Paul compares his ministry to the swindlers and counterfeits who had plagued the churches in Corinth. He served the Christians in love and would rather be impoverished than impose upon them. We serve a loving Master, who moves us to serve in love, even when we serve those who are not so lovable.

We often feel justified when we speak our opinion, but the wise person knows it is always better to listen before speaking. If your lips are moving, you're not learning. Let us resist the temptation to speak first, so that we may been seen as wise, instead of playing the part of the fool.