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"I was a burden to no one..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:9

INTEGRITY IN MINISTRY

Paul refused to compromise his integrity in ministry. He had declined support from Corinth and he made sure that he was not a burden to the Church, no matter how urgent his needs were.

“And when I was present with you, and in need,
I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked
the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied.
And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you,
and so I will keep myself.”
2 Corinthians 11:9

1. “And when I was present with you, and in need”

a) Some basic needs may be mentioned:

i) Housing

ii) Food

iii) Transport

iv) Medical (The many beatings from wicked people would have taken a severe toll on his health.)

b) Present in Corinth

i) For ministry

ii) For establishing of a church

2. “I was a burden to no one”

a) Paul determined he would not seek help from the Corinthians.

b) In his integrity, Paul would rather do without, than to ask for help.

3. “For what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied”

a) Among the Macedonians would be the Philippians.

b) There were other believers who visited Paul in his ministry.

c) When they saw his needs, their hearts were moved to help their beloved Apostle-teacher-friend.

d) Paul wrote to the Philippians to thank them for their loving support.

4. “And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you”

a) There are many needs to be met in Missions ministry.

b) Paul determined that he would not be”burdensome” to anyone.

c) This was a commitment that he kept with full integrity.

5. “And so I will keep myself”

a) This was not a matter of pride.

b) It was a matter of principle and Paul’s integrity enabled him to live and serve in honour.