“Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?” (2 Corinthians 11:7, KJV)
There is an economic/business expression that I heard while I was in college called, “faulty market mechanism.” It explains a somewhat deceptive marketing ploy. It works like this. You can take any product produced and package it two ways and price it two ways. Let’s say the product is a widget. You put your widget in a box labeled “Widget” and price it at $2.00 each. You then take the same widget and put it in another the box labeled “Widget Deluxe” and price it at $2.50 each. Many people will purchase the “Widget Deluxe” thinking that they are getting something better than the ordinary widget since it cost 50 cents more. However, both boxes contain the same exact widget. The customers only think that one is better than the other. This ploy often happens with produce. In some cases, it explains the difference between name brand and generic commodities.
The problem is that some people believe that the more they pay for something the better it may be. However, while this is sometimes the case, sometimes it is not.
In this passage, Paul is speaking of something similar. The false teachers who spoke against Paul apparently pointed to the fact that Paul did not put a financial burden on the Corinthian church. They likely insinuated that since Paul did not receive compensation from the church that he was an amateur. If this was the case, the false teachers who sought compensation from the church positioned themselves as ones having greater authority.
Now, we know that Paul recommended in an earlier letter to the church that they should compensate the one who ministered the word to them (1 Cor 9:8-14). Yet, Paul gave up this right so his ministry would be seen as pure without any fleshly motivation (1 Cor 9:15-18).
Today, we have some preachers that live lavish lifestyles. Their average salaries are far above the top earners in their congregations. The live in palatial estates. They have private airplanes. When we look at these men, we often get the feeling that their motives for ministry are focused more on personal gain. It may not be the case, but it is the way things appear, especially when you hear the pleas for money given by these. Yet, they have large congregations and the people put credence in their message of wealth.
There are other preachers, like Paul who serve for very little income. For some of these the congregations are not sufficiently supporting them as they ought. It is unfortunate. However, one thing is for certain. These pastors who are struggling are serving for one reason only. They have a calling upon their lives from God. They serve sacrificially because they have a burden to preach the truth of God’s word.
Remember this. Good pastors do not serve for a love of money. Yet churches should never keep their pastor in poverty but when you look at these men you see genuineness and humility. Let us take good care of those pastors who sacrifice and serve well. For the Lord has placed them over the local congregations.
Renewing the Heart 