or did i commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because i preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? i robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. [2 cor 11:7-8]
in this historical context, great speakers would often charge the crowds to hear their words, and the people would correlate it to the validity of the words spoken.
paul corrects them again in the ways of their thinking of him. he emphasizes that just because he didn’t charge them to preach truth, he wasn’t sinning but quite the opposite. he was again serving through his leadership. he wasn’t a financial burden to them though it could have been said that they should have been supporting him, instead of allowing only other churches to support paul while he served the corinthians.
paul didn’t give up on them because he was obedient to what the Lord called him to do… no matter their response.
likewise, the time spent discipling when he/ she stops responding… isn’t in vain.
the countless years of parenting and pleading for salvation to only have a child reject the Lord…isn’t in vain.
the kindness shown to a stranger that you’ll never see again… isn’t in vain.
any time, emotional energy or resources given in being obedient but didn’t get the desired result or response to the Lord only deepens your relationship with him.
therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. let nothing move you. always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. [1 corinthians 15:58]
~ natalie schmidt