The Comparison Problem

Reading:  2 Corinthians 10:7-12
    
    Paul is defending himself against some in Corinth who are undermining his influence.  He lists one of the prominent accusations against him.  “I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters.  For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account’”(2 Cor 10:10).  They mock Paul’s letters as stronger and harsher than he actually is in person.  It is a way of discrediting the power of what he has written.  “Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present”(2 Cor 10:11).  Paul rejects this idea with the ominous pronouncement that when he comes, his words will be matched by strong actions.

    Yet even here, Paul cautions them not to take him the wrong way.  “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves.  But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding”(2 Cor 10:12).  In his defense of himself, Paul doesn’t want the Corinthians to think that he is like these opponents.  Such people continually “measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another” in efforts to appear more important, successful, and worthy of respect than others.  Paul is not stooping to the methods of others—trying to demean and badmouth so that he looks better by comparison.  When we use such tactics, we “are without understanding.”  

    The comparison problem is that we often feel that our only value is found in comparison to others.  I must find others who look worse than me.  The respect and attention I desire is only found at the expense of others.  Paul insists that this is not the way true servants of God should think of themselves.  We don’t need comparisons to make ourselves look better.  We already matter to God.  More, such personal attacks only distract from the significant spiritual issues we must navigate as we work together and seek to please God.  Comparison gets me no closer to God or others.  When we use such tactics, we “are without understanding.”  

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One Thing to Think About:  Do I ever make myself feel better by looking down on others?

One Thing to Pray For:  The security to trust that God’s love is what makes me valuable
 

Take Every Thought Captive

Reading:  2 Corinthians 10:1-6
    
    Paul begins here to defend himself against some of the criticisms of the Corinthians.  He especially wants them to make some changes now so that his visit to them will be pleasant rather than painful (see 2 Cor 1:23, 2:1).  “I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when I am away!—I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh”(2 Cor 10:1-2).  Some in Corinth have accused Paul of being weak in person and bold in letter; he urges them to change so that he doesn’t have to prove them wrong!  If they continue on their present course, his visit will not be as weak as they suspect.

    Yet Paul stresses that this is not about physical intimidation.  “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”(2 Cor 10:4-5).  Paul has neither physical methods nor physical goals.  His battle is with arguments, opinions, and thoughts that are hostile to Jesus.  He is fighting for the very soul of the Corinthian church; he will fight for it from a distance and in person.  In engagements like these, physical weakness or strength (see v. 10) is meaningless.  The Corinthians misunderstand Paul because they misunderstand the nature of spiritual warfare.

    Paul’s goal is to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.”  He is convinced that the Corinthians’ thoughts matter and wants to win them over.  Obedience to Jesus begins in the mind.  The mind must be won.  It is not enough to give Christ my body; it is not enough to give him some of my thoughts.  I cannot rest until my every thought is captive to his leadership, tuned to obedience. 

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One Thing to Think About:  Have I ever mistaken physical weakness for spiritual weakness?

One Thing to Pray For:  Purity in thought
 

Enriched by Giving

Reading:  2 Corinthians 9:6-15
    
    How should Christians give?  “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”(2 Cor 9:6).  Sowing and reaping mean that we surrender something in the present in anticipation of a future blessing.  We are confident that God notices our sacrifice and will supply our lack.  This makes our giving a joy rather than a drudgery:  “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”(2 Cor 9:7).  We give of our own goodwill, eagerly and cheerfully. 

    And Paul insists that God blesses givers.  “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work”(2 Cor 9:8).  God’s gifts to us (“all grace”) enables our gifts to others.  He assures us that giving will not prevent us having “all sufficiency in all things at all times.”  God will supply.  “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God”(2 Cor 9:10-11).  There is something counterintuitive here.  Giving does not enrich us, yet here we are promised that we “will be enriched in every way.”  We have more when we give away what we have.

    God blesses givers.  God loves a cheerful giver.  We do not give ourselves into poverty.  Yet the enrichment of this text is spiritual—so that we may abound in every good work (v. 8), so that we can be generous (v. 11), and to increase our harvest of righteousness (v. 10).  Giving enriches us when its spiritual blessings outweigh the advantages of keeping our money.  When we are blessed with the opportunity to give, we need eyes to see how it blesses others, glorifies God, and fulfills our purpose.  

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One Thing to Think About:  Do I truly believe that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”(Acts 20:35)?

One Thing to Pray For:  The faith to sow bountifully by giving to others
 

The Good Kind of Boasting

Reading:  2 Corinthians 9:1-5
    
    Paul has a touchy matter to bring up.  He has been bragging about the Corinthians and now he is concerned that they might embarrass him.  The topic is still the contribution to help needy Christians in Jerusalem.  “for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year.  And your zeal has stirred up most of them”(2 Cor 9:2).  Paul has been talking wherever he has gone—including Macedonia—about how Corinth and the churches in their region have been ready to contribute to the work since last year.  In fact, his boasting has had a positive impact:  “your zeal has stirred up most of them.”  

    Yet he has a concern.  “But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be”(2 Cor 9:3).   Paul is sending an advance message so that they can get the contribution ready.  “Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident”(2 Cor 9:4).  Beyond that humiliation, they also would then feel they had to give—making it an “exaction” or requirement (2 Cor 9:5).  Paul’s tone of gentle prodding encourages them while specifically not commanding them.

    I am intrigued by Paul’s admission that he has been traveling around boasting about the Corinthians.  Of all the problems he has had with them—from the significant issues of 1 Corinthians to the underlying tensions of this letter—he has kind things to say about them to others.  It is appropriate and beneficial for us to boast in our brethren and the wonderful things they are doing.  This is the good kind of boasting—boasting that encourages those we are talking about, those we are talking to, and ourselves as well.

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One Thing to Think About:  Do I ever brag about people to others without any other agenda?

One Thing to Pray For:  A heart to spread positivity
 

We Aim at What Is Honorable

Reading:  2 Corinthians 8:16-24
    
    Even Paul’s travel plans are shot through with rich spiritual meaning.  The basic facts of this section are that Paul is sending Titus and two brothers who will collect this money and be part of the delegation to take it to Jerusalem.  Yet Paul begins by thanking God:  “But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you”(2 Cor 8:16).  God is responsible for Titus’ great care for these people (see 7:13-15), which is motivating him to do this errand.  The other two brothers are mysterious characters whom Paul does not name.  The first is “the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel” who has also been ”appointed by the churches to travel with us”(2 Cor 8:18, 19).  Everyone knows this brother because of his good work and other churches (such as those in Macedonia) have entrusted their money to him.  The second is “our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters”(2 Cor 8:22).  Paul vouches for this man as trustworthy as well.

    So why does Paul take all of this trouble about the collection?  “We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man”(2 Cor 8:20-21).  He wants everyone to know that all his actions are above board.  Paul is not getting rich here.  This is not a scheme.  He wants all the churches to be comfortable and confident.  He also knows that this mission is “for the glory of the Lord himself”(2 Cor 8:19) and that these men are “messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ”(2 Cor 8:23).  Jesus’ own glory is at stake.

    Christians should welcome transparency in all matters, particularly financial matters.  The money scandals Paul was on guard against in the New Testament era occur much more frequently today.  Can others trust us in money issues?  Are we consistently demonstrating—perhaps even in ways that are inconvenient—that everything is above board with the way we handle our affairs?

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One Thing to Think About:  Have I thought about what is honorable with regard to my money, work, and family?

One Thing to Pray For:  A heart that welcomes transparency