Managing God's People - Part 3
Jesus did not only give his followers spiritual food, he also gave them carnal things like food and money.
The Pastor is not meant to only receive carnal things. He ought to give his people food, money where needed and if possible and even spend his life for the flock.
It is the people that matter, not their pockets. It is the people God sent you to not their bank account.
2 Corinthians 12:13-18
[13]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.
[14]Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and *I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you:* for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
[15]And *I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;* though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
[16]But be it so, *I did not burden you:* nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
[17] *Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?*
[18]I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. *Did Titus make a gain of you?* walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
Paul had biblical rights to receive from the Corinthian Christians. He brought salvation to them, he founded a Church there and pastored them. They were his children in the gospel.
No one will argue his right of receiving carnal things from them but he chose not to. It doesn't mean a Pastor is wrong for enjoying gifts from the flock. What I'm saying is know when to take and when you're the one to give.
These Corinthian Christians were carnal and babes. They were needing pastoral work not pastoral harvest. They needed a Pastor who would give them spiritual nourishment not take from them.
They were children to him and as a father, he was supposed to provide for them not take from them. At least for now that they're not grown.
A great Pastor knows when to give and give and give and expect nothing in return.
Paul said he was ready to spend and be spent for their sake. His focus was solely on how to help them grow up. That's our primary responsibility to the Church of God.
They never acknowledged his sacrifices for their spiritual growth and well being but he never gave up.
These kinds of Christians who don't even appreciate your hard labours over them are not people to be burdening with your personal needs. They need what you have more than you need what they have.
In verse 17, he's talking about how he never took advantage of them and his associates also never made gains off them.
As you serve your people with utmost integrity, ensure your close associates are also men and women of integrity. If not your hard earned integrity will be soiled by associates like Gehazi.
Your integrity in serving the flock is golden. It is a pedestal that keeps you above reproach. You must build it and maintain it continually.
Kevin Ashwe
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