THE RIGHT KIND OF HEART
2 CORINTHIANS 12:14-19
2 CORINTHIANS 12:14-19 NKJ
14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
OBSERVATION:
We live in a day where celebrity culture has impacted the church. Famous pastors and speakers are in the cultural spotlight. And much to my dismay, some of those famous preachers have not been able to sustain their ministry. The spotlight is not a grow light. One well known pastor said it very well, too much time in the spotlight can blind you.
My concern with celebrity culture impacting the church is the ideas and images planted in the minds of the young. Ministry is not a ticket to fame and personal glory. Certainly, God can bless and prosper, but that is not the aim.
In our passage for today, we see Paul's heart for the church at Corinth. His words reveal a heart of love for the people and a desire to serve them. "I will not be burdensome to you: for I do not seek yours but you.' Paul's heart was not to put any extra weight on the church. He did not come to get from them but to give to them.
"I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. . ." Again, we don't get any indication that Paul is looking to receive from these people. He came to give, to pour out his heart and life for them. Sounds a lot like Jesus.
And it does not appear that the church was reciprocating of his love for them. The more he loved them, the less they returned that love. That is not easy to take. If Paul was in this for rewards or fame, this would be a reason to leave.
Did I take advantage of you . . . This is a rhetorical question. The answer is no. He did not abuse his place of authority with the Corinthian church.
We do all things beloved for your edification. Paul loved these people. And despite this being a church with several problems, Paul's heart was only to help.
Paul exhibits the right kind of heart.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me walk in the right kind of heart towards my brothers and sisters in Christ. Regardless of my place in the Body of Christ, I can exhibit a heart that reflects You well.