21 June - 2 Corinthians 11

Today we’re reading 2 Corinthians 11. Here are a couple things to think about:

1. Paul opens this chapter by telling his audience that he’s worried they might get distracted by people who are teaching things that are contrary to the message of hope found in Jesus. What’s happening is that during that time professional speakers would go around speaking on whatever the popular current topic was. These speakers were really good because they were well trained. Some of these guys realized this new church could be a good place to make money speaking and so they started doing just that. However, these speakers were also Jews and so they would add some of the Jewish customs as “mandatory” living, which isn’t what Jesus taught. They were also saying they were sent by God and they weren’t. They were simply trying to con money out of them. Let’s be honest different variations of this are still going on today and it makes God sick.
2. Paul reminded them that he never asked for their money. Instead he worked hard not to need anything from them.
3. Obviously these false apostles, as Paul called them, tried to discredit Paul. Starting in verse 22 Paul begins his reply to their accusations. In the end Paul says he’s not boasting of his accomplishments but rather his weakness so that God will be praised.

This idea of becoming distracted is something that we face today as well. We can become focused on whatever the newest idea or method of church is and forget that being a follower of Jesus is about a relationship with God. We should live our lives to understand and love God more, to love people more and to serve others above ourselves. How are you doing with these things? Do you love God more today than when you first decided to follow him? What about your love for people, has that grown? Do you serve others and at the church more now as well? Let us focus on living a life that makes God smile.