2 Corinthians 12:14-18

2 Corinthians 12:14-18

Behold, this is the third time I have been ready to come to you all – and I will not be a burden.  For I do not seek the things of yours but rather you all.  For children are not obligated to save up for the parents but rather the parents for the children.  And I will gladly spend and I will be given in everything I have for the sake of your souls.  If while loving you more, will I be loved less?  But this is true: I did not burden you all.  But rather while being crafty did I take you all by treachery?  Anyone whom I sent to you all – did I exploit you all through him?  I urged Titus, and I send the brother with him.  Did Titus take advantage of you all?  Did we not act in the same spirit?  Did we not take the same steps?

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I love the claim that Paul makes here in verse 14.  Paul doesn’t want their stuff.  He doesn’t want to make money off of them.  He doesn’t want to extort their worldly possessions as a trade for his spiritual wisdom.  Paul wants them – the Corinthians – rather than their stuff.  Paul is more concerned about their spiritual relationship with God than he is about acquiring worldly wealth for himself.  That’s the way it should be.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying spiritual people should starve and earn nothing.  But the relationship with God should drive spiritual leaders, not the possibility of making money.

Do you think that Paul’s approach is common or uncommon among the spiritual leaders that you know?  When do leaders get themselves into trouble over money and acquisition?  Why do spiritual people get themselves into trouble over the acquisition of wealth?

Second Thought:

Paul takes this one step further in verse 15.  Paul indicates that he would rather himself be expended for their sake than to have them be expended for his own sake.  Paul would give all that he has – himself and his own life included – in order that the Corinthians would remain in a healthy relationship with God.  This is a great model to follow for the spiritual leader.  After all, if the leader is already in a healthy relationship with God, what are they really giving up if their life should be expended so that another person can find God?  Paul shows us time and time again in his life that this is not simply words he speaks but a belief that he practices.  How many times in Paul arrested or beaten for the faith?  How many times does Paul use his influence and Roman citizenship to protect the fledgling Christians around him?  How many times does Paul focus the attention upon himself so that those under him would not feel the brunt of the wrath of the world?

Do you think that this position takes maturity?  What other attributes are necessary in order to live a sacrificial life as Paul mentions here?

Third Thought:

At the end of this passage we also hear Paul bring in the name of Titus.  It would seem that Paul feels the need to defend Titus and his behavior as well as his own.  He feels the need to protect Titus.  What likely happened is that as the Corinthians prepared their attack against Paul under the tutelage of the false apostles, they also lashed out and attacked Paul’s associates.  What does this teach us?  Sometimes it is difficult to be close to spiritual people.  When spiritual leaders are attacked, those close to them are usually attacked as well.

Why do human beings attack not just the leader but all the people around the leader?  Is this especially true in religious environments?  How does this thought tie in with the disciples’ behavior the days following Jesus’ crucifixion?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 12:19-21