Being a Good Steward of Your Life (2 Corinthians 12:14-15)
Text:
Every day that we live, we’re a day closer to the day that we’ll die. As we age, we start to think about the legacy that we’ll leave behind. How should we spend the few years that we have on this earth?
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon came to two vastly different conclusions based on two vastly different presuppositions. If God doesn’t exist, then the only logical way to live is for your own enjoyment. If God does exist, then the only logical way to live is in obedience to God.
The end of Psalm 92 talks about the lives of the righteous. Verses 12 and 13 say that they will flourish! Verse 14 says that they will still bear fruit, even in their old age. Don’t waste your life!
“Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” (2 Corinthians 12:14-15)
Paul was about to make his third visit to the Corinthian church. On his first visit to them, he preached the gospel to them. On his second visit to them, he had to rebuke them because they clung to their sin. On his third visit to them, he desired to be a blessing.
We get a sense Paul’s fatherly love for the Corinthian church in this passage. He didn’t want to be a burden to them (v. 14a). He didn’t want to burden them financially. He didn’t want to burden them emotionally. He wanted to be a joy to them. He sought them (v. 14b). He sought their growth in Christ. He sought the salvation of their souls. He sought to provide for them as a father provides for his children (v. 14c).
He wanted to be completely spent for them (v. 15a). He would give all that he had, and give his very self for them, so that they would know Christ. He was glad to do this. It wasn’t something that he reluctantly did. He found joy in serving, sacrificing, and being completely spent for them.
And what did Paul get in return? (v. 15b) Paul loved the Corinthian church as a father loves his children. Just as children sometimes dishonor their parents, Paul received ingratitude back. Many of the people in the church were still opposed to him. Paul was giving himself up for their sake, and it’s as if they spit in his face. But let me ask you a question. Do you sometimes do that to God? God gave His only Son for us, to save us from Hell, and to allow us to flourish in Heaven. Yet we often choose to live how we please.
Give your life back to God!
Pastor Chris Huff has been with us since July 2009. He and his wife, Abby, have four children. Chris is originally from St. Louis, MO and even though he was raised as a city boy, he has a small town heart. Chris is all over the internet, so you can find him on Facebook, Twitter,… (read more)
