Model Addict

The home of Stephanas was addicted and had been from Day One. They were controlled and propelled by it 24/7. Onlookers probably wondered: “How ever did it happen? How did it get such a hold on them?!!” Everyone knew about it but it seemed nothing could break them off it. If ever there was an environment where this addiction should NOT have thrived it was in Corinth.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers and in the concluding statements of his letter he said this:

The King James Version translators chose the word ‘addicted’ to describe how Stephanas and his family dedicated and devoted themselves to helping OTHER Christians. The word simply means: they determined before God at the outset of their Christian lives to serve others. They appointed themselves, committed themselves, set themselves to ministering to the needs of believers.

Stephanas was one of the first ones Paul saw saved in Corinth – if not the very first one. What a thrill it must have been for the Apostle Paul to see Stephanas obey the Lord in baptism. (1 Corinthians 1:16) After the local church was planted in Corinth many very sad things happened inside. There were divisions between believers, departure, pride and arrogance as well as tolerance of gross immorality. But through all of the church troubles, the hostilities, the bickerings and the in-fighting, Stephanas kept on helping the Christians in whatever way their family could. His family was amazing.

Tragically people are addicted to drugs, gambling, pornography and many other dark things in life and it is so hard to get them stopped once they have started down that road. Well, in a good sense, once Stephanas and his family made the commitment to give their lives to serving others, it seemed nothing could stop them. Paul told the believers in Corinth to respect and give honor to believers who devote their lives to serving and helping others.

How did they get hooked in the first place? I suspect when they trusted Christ as their Saviour their attitude before God was: “Lord what do You want me to do? I will do anything I am able to do for Thee. Just show me the path You want me to take and I will fully obey and give my all to pleasing Thee.” That’s the attitude the Lord values in our lives today. A desire to obey Him in every possible way and a willingness to do whatever He wants me to do. Nothing was too small or meager for Stephanas to do for other believers. They purposed in their hearts, they ‘set themselves’ to serving the Christians. Helping out with food, with money, with spiritual counsel, with babysitting, with clothing, with – well you name it. Paul left it general and all encompassing. He didn’t list the specifics of how they served.

When trouble came into the local church and the problems escalated – Stephanas kept at it. He took the high road. Their family didn’t get bogged down in the issues or caught up in the bitterness. No, they kept their hearts sweet before the Lord and they maintained their focus on serving the Christians. They wouldn’t allow the issues, the problems or even pettiness to side track them or derail them in their path of obedience and service for the Lord.

Dear Christian, don’t get bogged down in local church problems. Just set yourself, become addicted to helping all the Lord’s people. In whatever way you can, seek to serve others and to be a blessing to all Christians.