Bible Reading: Exodus 24; Job 42; John 3; 2 Corinthians 12
2 Corinthians 12:14 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.
The apostle wanted to see the Corinthian believers. He preached the gospel to them. He loved them and was wanted to spend time with them. He wanted to know how they were doing and encourage them in their walk with Christ. This was his burden with all the churches.
Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Paul saw himself as a father to the children that God had given to him in the new believers. He also uses the metaphor of a nursing mother caring for a child.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
He did want to be a burden to these followers of Christ. He did not want their THINGS; he wanted THEM. He was interested in the relationship with the people. He was not interested in what he could get from them. For this reason, he uses a comparison between parents and children. He says that parents should save up for the children. Children do not save up for parents. As followers of Christ, we should desire the relationships with the people that we disciple. We should not be using people to get things. We should use things to help people.
What does it mean to seek not yours but you? It is very similar to our relationship with Jesus Christ. Do we go to God for what we can get from him? Or do we seek for God? God told Abraham:
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
God was the reward of Abraham!
1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
The believers were the crown of rejoicing for Paul. He would meet them when he met Jesus and spend eternity together. Seek for relationships – not what you can get from them!
In Christ,
Rody
