I Corinthians 16:15,16

I Corinthians 16:15,16 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. Usually the word addicted is used in a bad way: someone is addicted to drugs or someone is addicted to alcohol. But in our verses for today, the household of Stephanas was addicted in a good way. They were addicted to helping others Christians in the church. Wow! Isn’t that a wonderful turn! Not just one person, Stephanas, was addicted to helping others, but his entire family shared in his mission. And what a wonderful job that they took on! They wanted to minister to other Christians is such a way that it was their entire focus. They just didn’t do a few things around the church to help out, they brainstormed with each other and came up with new ways to help others in church! How creative and how focused! And the household of Stephanas did such a great job of ministering to others that they caught Paul’s attention. They set a good example of how to do it. They were experts in ministering to others! And Paul used the family of Stephanas to encourage others to help. The household of Stephanas encouraged others and they encouraged others to encourage others too! What a great family! And what a great God, Who was working in the family of Stephanas!