1 Corinthians 1:14-17

In these verses, we can learn how humble Paul is. In his journey to share the gospel, he must have done a lot if things. Although it sounds like he thanks God for not having done certain things such as baptizing, if read carefully, it means he was thankful that he has really done it in a way that did not misled people in thinking he did things for himself:

• Verse 14 - he said he didn't baptise but in verse 15 he lists out the handful of people that he baptized.
• He clarifies he is called to share the gospel but quickly acknowledges that he did not do it out of his own wisdom (made in eloquent speech), and diminished the importance of Christ in the big picture (the power of the cross).

This tells us a number of things:

1. You may be talented and called to do certain things in the name of God, but this is not an excuse to shy away from other roles that you may not be so good at from time to time.
2. When good deeds are done, has God been honored or do people get the impression that you are doing it for yourself? Have you glorified God's name or diminished the true power of the cross?