TITW(Moody)Paul’s Selfless Ministry Read 2 Corinthians 11:7–15 Those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:14 Giving and receiving was an important element of social structures in Paul’s day. The wealthy expressed their power and status by becoming patrons to those in need. In turn, those who received such patronage were obligated to the wealthy patron. To refuse an offer of benefaction was not just impolite; it was a social rejection of friendship. This cultural value may lie behind our text today. The Corinthians were upset that Paul did not receive their financial support. Clearly, Paul affirmed the right of a Christian pastor to congregational support (see 1 Cor. 9:3–12), and he did accept support from other congregations (see Phil. 4:15–16). But here we learn that Paul had refused support from the Corinthians. His opponents used this refusal to cast doubts upon Paul’s legitimacy and even his love for them. Paul certainly would have understood the cultural norms in such a situation, and so he explained his motives. Above all, Paul wanted to demonstrate his love for the Corinthians. By ministering without pay, he was willing to demean himself “in order to elevate you” (v. 7). His refusal to accept support, even when he had real need while in Corinth, was not an act of pride or malice. He wanted them to know that his gospel ministry was not for quick financial profit but a genuine ministry of self-sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. For Paul, his opponents’ failure to understand this indicated their real character. These men who gladly accepted, even demanded, financial support, were “false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ” (v. 13). Unfortunately, that was no surprise. Just as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so too his servants offer a pretense of righteousness when what they really desire is self-glory and profit. The subject of ministerial pay can be touchy, but Scripture calls us to an important balance: congregations need to support their pastors, but ministers who seek self-promotion and undue profit are not following Scripture’s call to selfless ministry. Your church leaders need your support in order to preach the gospel with selfless abandon to the glory of Christ.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:09:03 +0000
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