BULLETIN ARTICLE – 16 APR 2017

Christians should consider themselves as being in one big fellowship and family of God. God is our Father and we are brothers and sisters in Christ. In such a family there ought to be sincere love and affection for one another, where one considers the other better than themselves. However, this was obviously not the case in Corinth and Apostle Paul had to chastise the Corinthian Christians for going to public courts to settle their arguments and differences with one another, especially over inconsequential matters. Clearly Paul was disappointed with their petty quarrels when they ought to present their disputes to the Church leaders for resolution.
Family disputes abound in Singapore and some end up in civil courts. Brothers were suing one another of their family inheritance after the patriarch passed on and some of these court cases dragged on for years. There was an interesting case of a well-known Singaporean beverage company which was ultimately taken over by another family-owned rival. The siblings were against the dilution of family control through divestment of their interests. They went to court to settle their differences. Additionally, this same family (Christian) had their matriarch sued for mental incompetence by her two grandsons whom she had earlier bequeathed some properties. She later instructed her lawyer to change the wills, withdrawing the bequests and the reason given was that the grandson had married a non-Christian and was no longer going to Church. It sounded right in the eyes of all, believers and non-believers that the intention of the matriarch was upheld.
Disputes arise when there is no trust. Family members do not have faith in each other. Each seek their own self interest, guarding what they deem to be their rights. Principally, family feuds happen when family values are weak. Likewise, the Christians in Corinth did not have strong foundation of mutual trust and faith that is based on the lordship of Christ.
Proverbs 20:3 teaches us that: “It is to one’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Do not be quick to resent affronts, instead “let fall the weapon”, drop the controversy and forgive the injury. Bible commentator Matthew Henry says, “It is the honour of a man, a wise man, a man of spirit, to show the command he has of himself by ceasing from strife, yielding, and stooping, and receding from his just demands, for peace-sake, as Abraham”. In Genesis 13:8, Abraham wisely gave his nephew Lot, a share of his lands and herds and even allowed him to make the first choice. Abraham said, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me….for we are close relatives.” It will be good that Abraham be our example in such matters rather than swiftly exclaiming: “see you in court!”.