WAS PAUL A ROBBER?

 WAS PAUL A ROBBER?

2 Corinthians 11:4-9 (KJV)

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

 

Allow me to begin this lesson by reminding you of the very first verse of this chapter.

2 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)

Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

 

There really is only one sound way to understand that – Paul was using literary practice that some might view as unwise or foolish.

 

He was, if you will, exaggerating for effect.

 

What he said was all true, it is all inspired of the Holy Spirit, but it needs to be understood in the context of, “bear with me a little in my folly.”

 

The next several verses address a complaint apparently leveled against him. That, he wasn’t a paid, official, man of God.

 

They had accused him of being without credentials and they felt like they could prove it by the fact that he had not received wages from the church when he was at Corinth.

 

As we begin breaking this section down, notice with me, 

*I. HIS PROPOSITION

2 Corinthians 11:7 (KJV)

Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

 

The word offense comes from the same word as sin. He is as much as saying, “Did I sin in not requiring you to compensate me?”

 

A little bit farther in this book he will write,

2 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV)

For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

 

He suffered loss, so they would have abundance.

By not receiving wages of them,

·   He was abased

·   They were exalted

 

He did without, so they could have more in their church.

Pastors take different views on how to apply this.

 

·   Some pastors insist that they be the very last bill paid by the church. Everything else gets taken care of before their needs are to be met.

·   Other pastors insist that, in order to have God’s blessings, the church must take care of their pastor first.

 

I think it’s the later.

The church’s first responsibility must be to their pastor. 

 

Everything else is an extra.

 

·   A building is an extra – we don’t have to have it in order to be a church

·   Chairs are an extra – we don’t have to have them in order to be a church

·   Heat and A/C are extras- we don’t have to have them in order to be a church

 

But a church without a pastor isn’t a church.

 

The balance, I think is perfected, when 

·   The church would gladly do without for their pastor’s care and

·   The pastor so loves the church that he wouldn’t take advantage of their care.

 

Then notice,

*II. HIS ACCUSATION

2 Corinthians 11:8 (KJV)

I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

 

This is one of those places where you have to take verse 1 into consideration.

Do you really think Paul robbed, stole from other churches?

 

The word rob means to strip or deprive.

Other churches were deprived of money they could have had, of resources they may have put to other uses, so that Paul could remain in Corinth without being burdensome to them.

 

Verse 9 tells us

that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied

 

Macedonia- that’s where Philippi is.

Philippians 4:10-15 (KJV)

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

 

The church in Philippi understood missionary giving, giving once and again, regularly, to Paul so he could accomplish his ministry in Thessalonica, Corinth, and other places.

 

It was a sacrifice.

It cost them.

But 

It is an odor of sweet smell, acceptable and wellpleasing to God.

 

Then see

*III. HIS DETERMINATION

2 Corinthians 11:9 (KJV)

And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

 

He had determined not to be chargeable to the church in Corinth.

A. It’s not a Biblical principle

In other words, the Bible is not teaching here that pastors should not be compensated for their work.

 

Refer back again to verse 1.

 

B. It is a piece of pastoral wisdom

There are some sources you just don’t want money from.

 

Jerry Falwell used to say, “With shekels come shackles.”

 

Before you put on a shackle, you had better make sure it is one you are willing to wear.

 

I am shackled to this church. 

I receive compensation from the church.

·   That compensation enables me to serve the Lord here.

·   It also binds my heart to the church and to those who faithfully tithe here.

 

But 

·   I would not want to shackle myself to the government so that I could not preach and teach the Word of God.

·   I would not want to shackle myself to a denomination, where I was required to teach and preach the dogma of the headquarters.

·   I would not want to an individual who might wish to pressure me through his giving to do ministry his way. 

 

I think there were just enough “troublemakers” in the church in Corinth that Paul was determined not to wear their shackles.