Others First

2 Corinthians 11:7-11

“Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!”

If I ask are you a humble person, or do you know anyone who comes to your mind as an individual who is humble what would be your reply?  The dictionary defines humble as: “having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's importance.”  Some words that express a person who is humble are; modest, meek, respectful, that is what the people of Corinth saw in the life of Paul.

Putting others first is not a trait one finds in or out of the church, and watch out for the old dears many of them will knock you down with their walkers on the way to the front of the line.  I’m telling you folks watch out if you go on a cruise ship when it's time to eat they will push you out of the way, and now I understand why the youth have such me first mentality.  That is not Christ-like, and that will not win the world to Christ.  It is also not the example that Christ or the apostles left for us as followers of Christ.

Paul made the statement because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?  But he did not stop with ministering without pay; he goes on to state; I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.  Do you expect a self-centered culture would expect anything less?  What about you, have you placed any value on the preaching of the gospel, do you support your local pastor with prayer, do you join in the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ in your home and the marketplace, are you centered on self or the needs of others? 

The apostle Paul goes on to share that even in need he would not ask this young church to help in his time of need, but God supplied all his needs by sending others from Macedonia to provide his needs.  So why did Paul not allow them to be part of the meeting of his needs, not because they could not, not because they were under-resourced, but so that they like so many who are young in the faith or who worship self and love money believe the church needs their money.  Paul’s message was, God is not broke, Paul was not worried about God not meeting his needs, but God would supply Paul’s needs through others.  And it was driven by love that Jesus had put into Paul’s heart.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice