Jump Start # 4042
2 Corinthians 11:9 “and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia, they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.”
I’ll be honest. It’s hard for me to like the Corinthian church. First, they were a mess and all over the map spiritually. Nearly every page of the first letter to them, addresses some serious problems. These problems were so great that it would cripple many churches. Now, in the second letter, the Corinthians didn’t think much of Paul’s preaching. They challenged his validity as an apostle.
You don’t find the deep affection toward the Corinthians like you find with the Thessalonians or the Philippians. Yet, Paul kept going. He lived the words, “endure hardship,” as he would later encourage Timothy.
There is a little statement tucked within our verse that needs to be looked at. The passage is addressing financially supporting Paul. The churches in Macedonia took care of Paul. Actually, God took care of Paul. But, there in our verse we find, “I was present with you and was in need.” I was in need. Did anyone notice how Paul was doing? Did anyone care to ask? Were the Corinthians unable to do anything or was it that they didn’t want to do anything? Were they so consumed with themselves that they couldn’t see anyone else?
Those little words, “I was in need,” speaks volumes. It reminds us of what our Lord said, I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. Thirsty and you gave me no drink. Naked and you did not clothe me. Sick and in prison and you did not visit me. I was in need. Did you notice?
Let’s put some thought to that expression:
First, many will come running if you ask them, but they must be asked first. We need to open our eyes and see. Paul was in need. Couldn’t someone invite him over for a meal? Couldn’t someone offer to let Paul stay with them. Was there no one who could give Paul some money?
His words, used twice, not being a burden, implies that Paul wouldn’t ask. He didn’t want someone to feel obligated or that they had to do something. Paul would rather suffer than ask. He was not going to have someone go out of their way for him. He was not going to be a burden. And, sadly, that happens today. Rather than asking, someone will just suffer in silence. They don’t want to be a bother.
· Consider the young family that is struggling. Mountains of health bills. Between the mom and dad, they may be working three or four jobs, doing all that they can. They’d never miss a service. They are always there, encouraging and helping others. Does anyone notice? Does anyone care? Will anyone do anything?
· Consider the new widow. She comes home to an empty house. There are piles of paperwork that she must work through since the death. There are so many decisions to be made. She is overwhelmed but doesn’t want to bother anyone. She doesn’t want to throw a pity party. She works through it but it is so hard.
· Consider the preacher. Week after week, new sermons, busy teaching and encouraging as many as he can. How is he doing? Does anyone ever ask? Is he tired on the inside? Is he stretched thin? Emotionally, mentally and even spiritually, does he need a break? Does anyone notice?
Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.” This is the role of shepherds in the church and dads in the home. How is everyone doing? Are they tired? Are they worried? Jesus felt compassion for the multitudes because they were “distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). Jesus noticed. Jesus cared.
In the pew you will find:
Parents that are burdened because of their prodigal child
Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren because if they don’t…
Singe parents facing double duty
Brethren struggling with secret sins and failing again
Smiling faces hoping to hide their depression
A childless couple facing disappointment again
Families dealing with cancer and fears
Parents who have buried a child
Couples who have done everything they know to keep their marriage going, but failed
A brother who has been hurt by the judgmental attitudes of others
A guest who is so confused by the religious propaganda of our times. He just wants to find Jesus.
A widow who sits down as one at a table for two
Wives who harbor the secret of being a battered wife
The lonely, scared and hurting
Every week they gather with the people of God to lift their voice to the One hope that they believe in. Brushing away tears, trying to muster courage to walk into the church building, they come to encourage and help others. These are the people in the pew. And, funny, they look just like me and you.
Does anyone notice?
Roger