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2 Corinthians 11:7-11
In 2 Corinthians 11:7-11 the Apostle Paul continues his defense of his ministry in Corinth as he explains his reasoning for not accepting payment from the Corinthians for his preaching to them. He has previously, in his first letter to the church at Corinth, proclaimed to them that his preaching to them is of necessity from his calling from the Lord, and that in his calling is no place for boasting. His reward for preaching the gospel is a blessing from God that is of the heartfelt inner salvation that he has received, not from payment for services as some might attempt to accuse him (1 Corinthians 9:16-18). Paul’s purpose in this is to not be a burden to the church at Corinth as some of the false teachers had been in demanding what appears to have been large payments for their services (which was nothing more than taking advantage of the generosity of the congregation).
This is a promise of sincerity in one’s calling from the Lord.
Paul has preached to the church at Corinth about giving, and that each one should give according to what they have, in sincerity and faithfulness to God in supporting the needs of the Church (1 Corinthians 16:1-4). But he takes special steps in 2 Corinthians 11 to make sure that the church at Corinth has assurance that his preaching to them is genuine, as they were being taken advantage of by some false teachers seeking only to gain financially.
Today we refer to this as the “prosperity gospel” in which the preacher promises spiritual blessings of great reward if you will simply send them large financial gifts. We must be careful to “fact check” these preachers with the Word of God (the Bible) to see if what they are preaching is from the Bible or simply for self-gain. The Bible teaches us in 1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV), “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” And in Titus 1:7-9 we are taught, “for a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” God’s conviction in our lives to separate ourselves from the worldly view is our challenge as Christians, for things such as self-control and being hospitable are convictions that are so easy to fall to in the anxieties of the moment. It is through Christ Jesus that we are able to grow in righteousness as I too am striving to learn. Put your faith in Jesus today and He will change your heart and desires as well. 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” And in Titus 2:11-14 The Bible teaches us, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
Dear LORD,
Please give us today as the congregation of Your Chruch the guidance to seek out sincere and genuine preachers and teachers of Your Word that we may truly learn from the Bible Your will for our lives and the true path to salvation that is only found in Christ Jesus (John 14:6). And please guide us as pastors and teachers of Your Word to hold true to the convictions that You give us that we would always strive to draw closer to You in Christ Jesus as it is our goal in our callings to, “also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” as the Apostle Paul states in Colossians 1:29. Please let it be so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.