We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
1 Corinthians 4:10-13 NIV

Yesterday at work, I read this verse and as I came to the last sentence, I kind of laughed out loud—we have become the scum of the earth? The garbage of the world?

Why on earth is that a good promise, why should that be an encouragement?

When we look at what the world classifies as garbage or scum, it is exactly what Christ looked like.

It means that garbage might mean being someone who is full of humility, grace, kindness. Maybe stooping to a level that you didn’t think you would stoop to, or reaching out to people who you would have never chosen to interact with prior to knowing Christ.

It’s like what Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:

Blessed are those who are the poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers, those who mourn, who are persecuted, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and the pure in heart. (Matthew 5:3-10)

Friends, we are going to be called garbage—we will be scorned and hated just because we bear the mark of Christ. But our confidence is in knowing that someday, we will be blessed because of all these things.

We will be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven, inherit the earth, be comforted, will be filled, will be shown mercy, we are called children of God, and we will see God. (Matthew 5:3-10)

As we go into this new week (and new month!) what do you think about being the garbage of the earth? And how can you live out your days knowing this truth?

~Willow