I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. (2 Corinthians 11:8-9)
Paul wrote to the Corinth church about how his ministry finances worked. He explained that other churches paid his expenses while he was serving the church in Corinth.
He went on to explain he was chargeable to no man. The word chargeable in Greek is katenarkēsa. This is the only time this word is used in Scripture. It means to be to the detriment of anyone. Paul said, “I didn’t take the money from anyone,” although in other places, he wrote that those who minister the Word to others should expect to be paid.
Paul went on to explain that it was his choice to keep himself from being burdensome. The word burdensome here is katanakao in Greek. It is derived from a fish that Aristotle said numbed those it came in contact with. Paul was saying, “I did not take this money from you so that you would not become a useless limb.”
Paul told the church of Corinth, “You should be paying me, but instead of letting you do that, the churches of Macedonia paid my salary to make sure you all received the ministry of the Word.” Similarly, many people have given to our ministry to ensure that we can establish other churches and ministries all over the world. This kind of generosity multiplies the effectiveness of a ministry.
Practical Application – Give where God has planted you. The ministers, pastors, and leaders that God has placed over your life should be blessed, and by blessing them, you allow them to sow the Word in more significant measure to others.
1 Corinthians 9:11; 1 Timothy 5:18