‘I can only say this because I love you’
The many miracles and wonders that prove that I am an apostle were performed among you with much patience. How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair!
This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you—and I will not make any demands on you. It is you I want, not your money. After all, children should not have to provide for their parents, but parents should provide for their children.
(verses 12-14)
We who have the big picture of Paul’s missionary journeys, the treasures of his letters, the hard work he put in, can look at his career with admiration. The people of Corinth, however, saw only the small picture, and so often they saw him as one who disturbed their comfort zone.
Pastors reading this may be able to identify with Paul’s frustration. The old saying ‘You can’t please everyone’ is very true of pastoring. But, then again, nor should we try to please everyone. Our task is to minister faithfully to God’s people as God would have us do. In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul certainly shows us a picture of a pastor desperately trying to do that because he loves his people. Paul has spoken strongly in these letters. He has argued, pleaded, encouraged and, at times, exercised strong discipline. But always in love. Love does not try to smooth over rough passages or tum a blind eye to that which God can never do. Love is only love when it acts to help the person loved, and sometimes that means being tough.
Father, may I always want to be loved in such a way that people will tell me when I am straying and not let me stray further and further from you. Amen.
by Robert Turnbull, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)
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