November 19, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

“I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards. Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.

Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we. Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present.” 2 Cor. 10:1-11

It appears that the Corinthians had actually sunk to taunting Paul about his personal appearance — they jeered that he was weak, and they scoffed that he was no speaker. It is possible that they were right. A description of Paul’s personal appearance has come down to us from a very early book called “The Acts of Paul and Thecla”, which dates back to about A.D. 200. It is so unflattering of Paul’s appearance describing him as “a man of little stature, thin-haired upon the head, crooked in the legs, of good state of body, with eyebrows meeting, and with nose somewhat hooked, full of grace, for sometimes he appeared like a man and sometimes he had the face of an angel.”

It appears the Corinthians had actually sunk to taunting Paul about his personal appearance — they jeered that he was weak, and they scoffed that he was no speaker. It is possible that they were right. A description of Paul’s personal appearance has come down to us from a very early book called “The Acts of Paul and Thecla”, which dates back to circa A.D. 200. It is so unflattering of Paul’s appearance describing him as “a man of little stature, thin-haired upon the head, crooked in the legs, of good state of body, with eyebrows meeting, and with nose somewhat hooked, full of grace, for sometimes he appeared like a man and sometimes he had the face of an angel.”

So let’s review — it appears that Paul was a short, balding, bandy-legged man, with a hooked nose and shaggy eyebrows. And no, this is not a very impressive picture – but neither was Gandhi, or Mother Theresa, or even possibly Jesus. And while it may well be that the Corinthians made fun of him, we also know that while the outside appearance may seem slight, frail, or even “ugly”, what is inside is what really matters.

William Wilberforce was a British politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement in the United Kingdom to abolish the slave trade. A native of Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming an independent Member of Parliament. One description of him went like this: He was so small and so frail that it seemed that even a strong wind might knock him down. But once Boswell heard him speak in public and afterwards said, “I saw what seemed to me a shrimp mount upon the table, but, as I listened, he grew and grew until the shrimp became a whale.“

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, help me remember that it is not the size of the man or woman or their appearance that makes them a leader in the church, but the size of their willingness to make an appearance and speak up for Jesus and his love, mercy and grace. Amen.

Pastor Dave

November 18, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

“So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you, and arrange in advance for this bountiful gift that you have promised, so that it may be ready as a voluntary gift and not as an extortion. The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

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 for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Cor. 9:5-15

Paul states a principle that would be obvious to any farmer or gardener among us — the person who measures seed too sparingly will likely go hungry when winter comes. Stingy people, in the end, will pay a penalty for their miserly behavior — such is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Amen? That principle holds in other realms of our lives as well. The employee who watches the clock or spends most of their time on their “Facebook” account and gives only minimum effort is not likely to be selected for promotion. Parents who have no time for their children when they are young because they are always on their phone are likely to find that their children have no time for them once they have grown up and left home — such is the song from the 1970s, “Cats in the Cradle,” which captures that wonderfully well.

The word “sparingly” is a good translation of the Greek word “pheidomenos” — it speaks of holding back—using restraint—being careful—measuring by the teaspoon instead of by the liter or gallon—calculating by inches instead of miles. Restraint can be good or bad, depending on how it is applied. There are certain areas where we should give sparingly — our responses on social media, perhaps, especially in giving criticism, or blasting out angry words—and or course violence. It often helps to exercise restraint with money — remember the prodigal son who spent wastefully, and soon found himself eating pig slop and humble pie.

But there are times when, as the parable teaches, we should go all out in ministry and in providing for the needs of others. There are times when we should throw caution to the winds—and times when we should really extend ourselves. In the end, it’s a judgment call—a “best guess” decision that could prove right or wrong—but we need to keep in mind that we are not likely to reap bountifully if we sow sparingly.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, give us hearts to be generous in our lives, especially when it comes to love — and mercy — and Grace. When we feel stingy, help us to remember the One who did not spare anything for us….Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Dave