11 You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all. 12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. 13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!
14 Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have—I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children. 15 I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.
Terrie's Comments:
I can relate so much to Paul's heart for each of the churches that he is a part of ministering to. He wants what is best for them and tries to relate that concern to them by his words and actions always. The statement he makes about "the more I love you , the less you love me" I am imagining is a part of Paul showing God's love to them and the those in Corinthians still living in the flesh and in the process of learning to walk in the Holy Spirit, with their minds renewed to the things of Jesus Christ. I can only imagine how much joy Paul found in his relationships with people such as Timothy and Titus who learned what he was saying and were glad to support the work by following in his footsteps, working alongside Paul.
Tori's Comments:
Honestly, the whole financial burden thing was a big reason why I chose the field I did. If I can use my gift to lessen the burden of others, I most definitely should.
"spend myself" is an amazing phrase, because that what it feels like sometimes
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)