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Daily Devotions

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 180

"I will not be burdensome to you..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:14

A NOBLE PRINCIPLE EXPLAINED

Why Paul did not want to receive support from the Corinthians puzzled them. They could not figure out why others actually demanded support but Paul refused all support! Paul revealed a noble principle he lived by.

“Now for the third time I am ready to come to you.
And I will not be burdensome to you;
for I do not seek yours, but you.
For children ought not to lay up for the parents,
but the parents for the children.”
2 Corinthians 12:14

1. “Now for the third time I am ready to come to you”

a) Paul travelled extensively preaching the gospel.
b) He had planned to visit Corinth for the third time.
c) Travelling was always expensive.
i) Ship passage
ii) Accommodations
iii) Food and beverage
iv) Rental of a place for ministry

2. “And I will not be burdensome to you”

a) The word “burdensome” suggests a “financial burden”.
b) Paul did not want to be a burden to the Corinthian Church.

3. “For I do not seek yours, but you”

a) Others may have desired the physical/material support the Church could give.
b) Paul refused to dwell on such thoughts.
c) He preferred to be concerned about the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians!

4. The Noble Principle explained

a) “Children ought not to lay up for the parents”
i) Paul had a father’s heart.
ii) He did not want to have his “children” to feel burdened if they have to support him.
b) “But the parents for their children”
i) All good and godly parents would understand this principle.
ii) Parents would normally save up for their children’s needs.
iii) They would never seek to be a burden to them.

This was the noble reason why Paul did not want to receive support from the troubled Corinthian Church!