Daily Devotional for Tuesday, November 3
Paul’s Desire
2 Corinthians 10:14-18
“For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,” 2 Corinthians 10:14, 15.
First Thessalonians 4:11 states, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” In this verse, Paul gave instructions to not meddle and do your own work. This is the point that he was trying to get across to the Corinthians about himself.
Some thought he was overstepping his authority in spreading the gospel and in church affairs. Meddling where he had no business, but Paul assured them that he was within the bounds given to him by the Lord. He had no desire to take the credit for what other men were doing. His true desire was to see the church grow in faith so that he could further spread the gospel beyond them. Paul did not reach into other men’s territories, but he went where the gospel needed to be heard.
The only thing Paul was interested in was preaching Christ. Yes, he spent a great deal of time visiting and writing to churches he had established to encourage them, but this in part was because he did not want the churches to fade away. He wanted the churches to grow in faith so the work of spreading the gospel would continue.
Paul told them in the first letter, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). This did not mean he did not care for them. In fact, he cared deeply; that is why his whole mission was to preach Christ then invest in discipleship.
Something to Think About
As a believer, your greatest desire should be as Paul’s.
Karry Irizarry