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- Apr 25, 2006
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29 July 2008
2 Corinthians 11:7-11
I preached God's Good News to you without pay. I made myself unimportant to make you important. Do you think that was wrong? I accepted pay from other churches, taking their money so I could serve you. If I needed something when I was with you, I did not trouble any of you. The brothers who came from Macedonia gave me all that I needed. I did not allow myself to depend on you in any way, and I will never depend on you. No one in Southern Greece will stop me from bragging about that. I say this with the truth of Christ in me. And why do I not depend on you? Do you think it is because I do not love you? God knows that I love you
Isn't it interesting that some people are more than happy to pay for bad news - such as subscribing to certain TV channels and purchasing certain newspapers, books and magazines - and yet when it comes to the Good News which is totally free, some people are reluctant to receive it.
Perhaps the false teachers in the Corinthian church were charging the people for the 'news' that they were teaching, and suggested that Paul's teaching was worthless as he had not charged for it.
Those of us who are Christians should examine ourselves, and ask:
'What are our motives for passing on the Good News to others?'
Is it out of love for others, like it was with Paul, or is it for recognition, money, pride, status, reputation or advancement etc?
What about our motives in other things, like prayer? Do we pray so that others will be amazed at how well we pray? Do we study the Bible so that others will be amazed at our great knowledge? Do we give money in such a way that others will notice and be impressed?
Let us take time today to examine our hearts and our motives in doing things.
Lord, help others today to see Jesus in me and help me to see Jesus in them. Give me a pure heart that seeks to love others as you love them. Please reveal to me any wrongful motives that I may have. Amen.
Written by Paul Tomlinson
2 Corinthians 11:7-11
I preached God's Good News to you without pay. I made myself unimportant to make you important. Do you think that was wrong? I accepted pay from other churches, taking their money so I could serve you. If I needed something when I was with you, I did not trouble any of you. The brothers who came from Macedonia gave me all that I needed. I did not allow myself to depend on you in any way, and I will never depend on you. No one in Southern Greece will stop me from bragging about that. I say this with the truth of Christ in me. And why do I not depend on you? Do you think it is because I do not love you? God knows that I love you
Isn't it interesting that some people are more than happy to pay for bad news - such as subscribing to certain TV channels and purchasing certain newspapers, books and magazines - and yet when it comes to the Good News which is totally free, some people are reluctant to receive it.
Perhaps the false teachers in the Corinthian church were charging the people for the 'news' that they were teaching, and suggested that Paul's teaching was worthless as he had not charged for it.
Those of us who are Christians should examine ourselves, and ask:
'What are our motives for passing on the Good News to others?'
Is it out of love for others, like it was with Paul, or is it for recognition, money, pride, status, reputation or advancement etc?
What about our motives in other things, like prayer? Do we pray so that others will be amazed at how well we pray? Do we study the Bible so that others will be amazed at our great knowledge? Do we give money in such a way that others will notice and be impressed?
Let us take time today to examine our hearts and our motives in doing things.
Lord, help others today to see Jesus in me and help me to see Jesus in them. Give me a pure heart that seeks to love others as you love them. Please reveal to me any wrongful motives that I may have. Amen.
Written by Paul Tomlinson
