A Faithful Fool For Christ

March 25, 2026March 25, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

¹⁶I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. ¹⁷What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. ¹⁸Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. ¹⁹For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! ²⁰For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. ²¹To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!

But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. ²²Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. ²³Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. ²⁴Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. ²⁵Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; ²⁶on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; ²⁷in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. ²⁸And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. – 2 Corinthians 11:16-28 ESV

Paul is about to do something he really doesn’t want to do; he is about to boast, and he feels like a fool for doing so. But he is driven by a desire to wake up the Corinthians so they can see the stupidity of their logic. Paul’s adversaries were constantly boasting about their own reputations and qualifications and set themselves up as superior to Paul. So, against his better judgment, Paul decides to play their game of one-upmanship.

He begs the Corinthians, “Listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little” (2 Corinthians 11:16 NLT). Then he sarcastically adds, “Since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too” (2 Corinthians 11:18 NLT). He accuses the Corinthians of being “so wise” and yet allowing themselves to be enslaved, devoured, taken advantage of, easily impressed, and humiliated. It was like being slapped in the face in public.

Since they seemed to be attracted to the boasts of his adversaries, Paul decided to play their game, all the while admitting, “I am speaking as a fool” (2 Corinthians 11:21 ESV). Paul is much more comfortable and at home with his weaknesses, viewing them as assets rather than liabilities. In the next chapter, Paul writes, “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT).

But at this point in the letter, he is attempting to show the Corinthians the foolishness of their obsession with qualifications and outward appearances. So he gives them a rather exhaustive outline of his credentials, matching his critics line by line. These “false apostles” bragged of being pure-blooded, Aramaic-speaking Hebrews. Well, they had nothing on Paul. They boasted of being Israelites, part of God’s chosen people; so was Paul. They claimed they could trace their roots all the way back to Abraham; so could Paul. And they presented themselves as servants of Christ. But Paul flatly asserts that he is a better one, and then goes on to explain why, all the while admitting that his words sounded like those of a madman.

I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. – 2 Corinthians 11:23 NLT

Then he backs up his claims with specific details.

I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. – 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 NLT

His long list of unpleasant experiences includes suffering at the hands of men who falsely claimed to be believers. This blunt assessment of his adversaries was intended to expose them as false apostles who were teaching a different gospel and a version of Christ that was unacceptable.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that every difficulty he had faced was due to his commitment to his calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ. His suffering was faithful due to his faithfulness to the commission given to him by Jesus. If the Corinthians were looking for someone with the proper qualifications to be an apostle, they need look no further than Paul; he had the scars to prove it. His resume, while not pretty, was a powerful statement of his calling and commitment. When many other men would have given up and walked away, Paul had stayed the course, fighting the good fight, and running the race all the way to the finish line.

While Paul hated boasting, he did so for a good reason. He wanted the Corinthians to wake up and smell the coffee. In their display of “wisdom,” they were bearing with fools. They were listening to these false apostles and giving credence to their words, all based on nothing more than their self-proclaimed qualifications. These men had no track record of service to the Lord. They had played no part in bringing the gospel to the Corinthians and, if anything, were actually undermining Paul’s work. They had preached a contradictory gospel based on a different Jesus, and promoted a different Spirit than the one the Corinthians had received at salvation. This was dangerous stuff.

Paul knew that their work among the Corinthians was not stopped in its tracks; the result would be deadly. So he resorted to boasting, lowering himself to their level to expose them for what they really were: charlatans and liars. Paul cared for the Corinthians. He was willing to die for them if necessary. He would gladly take a bullet or a stone for them. And he was not above being seen as a fool if it helped them see the folly of their ways.

Father, Paul’s unwavering commitment to the gospel is refreshing and inspiring. We live in a day when many are propagating watered-down versions of the gospel that are meant to be inclusive, tolerant, and non-offensive. They offer a radically different view of Jesus than the one Paul preached. Their messages promote love at all costs while refusing to call out sin or broach the subject of judgment. They preach a feel-good gospel that offers a more palatable form of salvation, requiring no repentance of sin and no need of a Savior. Paul faced the same situation in his day and he refused to put up with anyone who tried to water down the gospel, softsell sin, or turn Jesus into some kind of cosmic good luck charm. Paul was a fighter and a defender of the truth. Would you raise up a generation of committed, no-holds-barred gospel defenders who will follow Paul’s lead? And may I be one of them. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Truth About Falsehood

March 24, 2026March 24, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

⁸I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. ⁹And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. ¹⁰As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

¹²And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. ¹³For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. – 2 Corinthians 11:8-15 ESV

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul had been forced to argue in defense of his apostleship. He had once again found himself under attack by individuals who questioned the validity of his claim to be an apostle of Jesus, and he strongly defended himself.

Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 ESV

The believers in Corinth were all the evidence he needed to prove he had been sent by the Lord. He was an authentic messenger of Jesus Christ, and yet, while living among the Corinthians, Paul chose not to exercise the rights of an apostle. He reminded them, “the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14 ESV). However, he had not asked them to fund his stay or help him in any way financially. But he insisted on his right to do so.

This is my answer to those who question my authority.Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?

What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? – 1 Corinthians 9:3-7 NLT

In the book of Acts, Luke records how Paul sustained himself while living in Corinth.

Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. – Acts 18:1-3 NLT

Paul had paid his own way and had been aided by others who willingly chose to fund his work in Corinth. He had not burdened the Corinthians by asking them to provide for any of his ministry among them. Which is what led Paul to make the following dramatic claim:

I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be. – 2 Corinthians 11:8-9 NLT

Paul’s claim to have “robbed” the other churches by taking their aid was based on his not having ministered to them in return. He took their money but used it to fund his ministry elsewhere, something they perfectly understood and approved. But it obviously bothered Paul. He felt an obligation to return their generosity by ministering to them as well. However, he was grateful that their gift had allowed him to stop working and concentrate all his efforts on sharing the gospel while in Corinth.

It seems that Paul’s critics were accusing him of duplicity. He had at one time refused to accept support, but then had accepted the gift from the Macedonians. They saw this as a sign of Paul’s hypocrisy. And yet, these false teachers had evidently been accepting support for themselves.

Paul was not going to apologize for his actions. In fact, he said, “what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do” (2 Corinthians 11:12 ESV). He would not stoop to their level, and he would not allow them to compare themselves to him. He had already accused them of preaching a different gospel and a different Jesus. So, Paul pulled no punches, accusing these men of being “false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV).

Paul had taken the gloves off, claiming these men to be in league with Satan himself. This was not a gentlemanly debate, but all-out war. Paul was not just defending his ministry, but the integrity of the gospel itself. And like a shepherd, he was protecting his flock by fending off the attacks of dangerous predators. What made these men particularly deadly was that they were like sheep in wolves’ clothing. They were cunningly deceptive and had won the confidence of the Corinthians by appearing as something other than what they really were. Jesus had warned about these kinds of men.

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. – Matthew 7:15-20 NLT

These men had disguised themselves as “servants of righteousness,” but they intended to harm God’s people. Their messages sounded safe and in line with what Paul had taught, but there were dangerously subtle differences based on a carefully crafted mixture of truth and falsehood. They were teaching Jesus, but it was a slightly variant version. They were teaching grace alone, but with a dose of good deeds mixed in.

There will always be those who infiltrate the church, disguising themselves as servants of righteousness, but who are actually servants of Satan. Their words are deceptive, and their outward appearance is convincing, but their fruit is deadly. The book of Jude describes them in stark, but realistic terms.

…they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness. – Jude 1:12-13 NLT

Be on the alert for them and don’t be deceived by their subtle lies masquerading as truth. Have nothing to do with them because their deeds are deadly.

Father, our enemy is dangerous because he operates as an “angel of light,” disguising and delivering his message in subtle ways that make it difficult to discern where the lie stops and the truth begins. As he did with Eve in the garden, he always mixes just enough truth with his falsehoods to make it sound palatable and acceptable. Yet, he remains the father of lies and the great deceiver. However, You have given us Your Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit to make sure we can recognize the real thing from the counterfeit. But it is easy to get lulled into a sense of overconfidence and complacency and forget that our enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour ” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Keep us on the alert and ever vigilant so that we are never caught by surprise. Help us to stand strong against him and firm in our faith because, as John wrote, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 BSB).
Amen

The Subtle Lie of a Pseudo-Savior

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

¹I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! ²For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. ³But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. ⁵Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. ⁶Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

⁷Or 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? – 2 Corinthians 11:1-7 ESV

The debate Paul was waging with his adversaries in Corinth was about far more than his authority or who would get credit for the spiritual state of the Corinthian church. This was about deception. Those who opposed Paul and his ministry were actually leading the Corinthians astray. They were proclaiming another Jesus, promoting a different Spirit, and preaching a different gospel.

What bothered Paul the most was that the Corinthians “put up with it readily enough” (2 Corinthians 11:4b ESV). Maybe it was because these “super-apostles,” as he sarcastically referred to them, were skilled in speech and the Corinthians found themselves easily swayed by their rhetoric. With Paul physically out of the picture, it was easy for them to dismiss his message and discredit his ministry because he was not there to defend himself. Which is what led him to write this letter. Paul was forced to remind them of their long-standing relationship with him.

He begged them to bear with a “little foolishness” as he recounted his role in their “betrothal” to Christ. What made it all so foolish was that he had to take time to remind them at all. After all, he had been the one to introduce them to Christ in the first place. Like a father of a bride, he had given them in marriage to Jesus, and his goal was to keep them pure until the day their marriage was consummated.

It was not enough for Paul that they came to know Christ; he wanted them to remain pure until the day Christ returned for them or called them home. Yet, he found that they had been easily deceived. He even compared them to Eve, whom Satan deceived and led astray from the truth of God in the garden. Her deception resulted in her banishment from the presence of God. Paul feared that the Corinthians, due to their willing reception of the false teaching of his critics, would be “led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV).

It is important to note that, as Satan led Eve to question the veracity and reliability of God’s word, so these false teachers were causing the Corinthians to question the very heart and soul of Paul’s gospel message. They were offering a different gospel that promoted a different Jesus. While Paul does not elaborate on what their message was, it is clear that they were leading the Corinthians astray. The apostle John describes such people as having the spirit of the Antichrist.

But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. – 1 John 4:3 NLT

I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. – 2 John 1:7 NLT

Paul doesn’t elaborate on whether these people were denying the incarnation of Jesus or questioning His death and resurrection. But it is clear that their message was in direct opposition to the one that Paul had preached, and they had found the Corinthians to be a willing and receptive audience. This was particularly disturbing to Paul because he had sacrificed so much to ensure that they heard the unadulterated gospel. He brought them the good news of Jesus, free of charge and with no strings attached. He had not demanded that they idolize him or treat him like a god. He humbled himself so that they might be exalted to a right relationship with God through a proper knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Paul took a backseat, playing the role of God’s humble servant and spokesman. He had simply been the messenger, the bearer of good news. Now, to hear that the Corinthians so easily accepted another version of the gospel was disturbing and disconcerting. But Paul was not one to sit back and let his work among the Corinthians go to waste. He loved them too much.

The gospel is always under attack, and most often from within. Satan is the great deceiver, and he would much rather promote a slightly false version of the truth than an outright lie. He tends to blend truth with just enough falsehood to make it palatable and plausible, but just as deadly. He is more than willing to have people accept Jesus, as long as it is a slightly different Jesus. He loves the idea of Jesus as a good man who lived a life worthy of emulation. He likes to promote Jesus as the great teacher and moral prophet. He prefers a Jesus who was nothing more than a martyr to a cause.

But the Jesus Satan promotes is never the Son of God and Savior of the world. He is never the selfless, spotless sacrifice that paid the penalty for man’s sins. He is never the source of man’s justification and the power behind his sanctification. He is never the resurrected and ascended King of kings and Lord of lords who sits at the right hand of God the Father and is one day going to return. However, that is the Jesus of the gospel, and any other Jesus is false and unworthy of our attention and affection.

Father, the enemy is subtle and seductive. He rarely demands our outright worship of him but, instead, he tempts us to serve a pseudo-Savior who bears a striking resemblance to the Jesus of the gospels but who looks a lot more like a self-help guru and a motivational speaker than the Son of God. Satan offers an emasculated, powerless version of the Messiah who is overly tolerant, permissive, and offers a form of moralistic, therapeutic deism that replaces true heart transformation with feel-good behavior modification. Paul refused to put up with false gospels or facsimiles of the real Jesus. He wouldn’t tolerate man-made versions of the way, the truth, and the life. For Paul, there was only one Jesus who offered one path to reconciliation with God. The message of salvation was simple and in no need of alteration or assistance. Would you protect us from the lies of the enemy and restore our dedication to the purity of the gospel message? Help us to stand firm on the truth, refusing to accept any other gospel or any other Jesus than the One Your sent. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand. Amen

As Unto the Lord

March 22, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

¹³But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. ¹⁴For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. ¹⁵We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, ¹⁶so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. ¹⁷“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” ¹⁸For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. – 2 Corinthians 10:13-18 ESV

While Paul was willing to become all things to all people so that he might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22), he was not willing to submit himself to the authority of men or to labor for their approval. Fourteen years after his conversion, Paul traveled to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus to meet with the original apostles. He had been doing ministry among the Gentiles for well over a decade and had never traveled to Jerusalem to get their approval for his ministry. In fact, Paul boldly proclaimed his independence from the leadership in Jerusalem.

…the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. – Galatians 2:6-7 NLT

Paul would later tell Timothy, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT). He also told him, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 NLT).

For Paul, God’s approval of his work was paramount. He considered himself a servant of God, and so his only concern was to do what his Master had commanded him to do. And yet, because he was human, Paul was sensitive to the constant criticism he faced. His ministry was always under siege, and the most vicious attacks were personal in nature.

It seems that in Corinth, Paul was accused of having overstepped his bounds; he was operating outside his designated area of influence. Corinth was a long way from Jerusalem, and as a Jew, Paul had no business ministering to the primarily Gentile community there. His critics were saying he was out of bounds in Corinth; it was their territory, and he needed to mind his own business and leave them alone.

But Paul argued that he was under the same commission Jesus had given to the original 12 disciples

“Be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 ESV

Paul considered Corinth well within his God-assigned jurisdiction, and he reminded them that he had brought the gospel there and helped plant the first church.

We were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:14b NLT).

When ministry becomes a competition or a quest for fame and glory, everyone loses. Those who minister to gain recognition or the approval of men will always view other ministers as adversaries, not allies. Paul was not out to build his reputation, but to build up the body of Christ. He was not motivated by man’s approval, but by God’s. Paul wanted to one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21 ESV).

The whole idea of ministerial boundaries and serving God for personal glory or gain was foreign to Paul. He simply went where God told him to go, and was able to say, “I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else” (Romans 15:19b-20 NLT).

Paul’s passion was for evangelism. He longed to take the gospel to those places where the name of Christ was unknown and the message of the good news had not yet been heard. But Paul also had a desire to see those who had come to faith in Christ grow up in their salvation (1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2). So while he was anxious to continue his missionary efforts and take the gospel to places such as Rome and Spain (Acts 19:21; Romans 15:28), he was not willing to watch newly converted Christians languish in spiritual infancy or as the predatory practices false teachers. So he continued to reach out to the Corinthians, longing to see them grow. It was his desire that they increase in spiritual health and maturity. Once that goal was achieved, he reasoned, “Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.” (2 Corinthians 10:16 NLT). He wanted to move on, but was not willing to do so if it meant sacrificing the stability of the work in Corinth.

When all was said and done, Paul was only interested in one thing: God’s approval. He believed that he performed his duties before an audience of one: God. Yes, there would always be others watching. There would always be some who complimented his work and others who attacked it. But at the end of the day, he was endeavoring to please God, not men. He wanted to be able to lie his head on the pillow and find rest in the fact that he had done what God had called him to do. Which is what led him to write:

As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 ESV

When we faithfully do God’s will, we will find ourselves with admirers and detractors. We may receive compliments and equal amounts of criticism, and have our methods and motives questioned. Others will attempt to take credit for what we have done. But as long as we are doing what we do for the Lord, it will not matter.

Like Paul, we need to constantly remind ourselves that we perform our duties for an audience of one. His opinion is the only one that matters; the applause and approval of men carry no weight when compared to the commendation of God. So, “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 ESV), and “do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT).

Father, Men-pleasing is a non-contact sport among most Christians. We are competitive in nature, even when it comes to our spiritual lives. We compare and contrast, measuring our spiritual maturity based on what others think of us or how well our walk stacks up to theirs. We don’t like criticism and the thought of others questioning our godliness makes our blood boil. But Paul reminds me that Your opinion is the only one that matters. I perform for an audience of one: You. It is what You think of me that should motivate my actions and measure my effectiveness. But I am so prone to worrying about what others think about me. The approval of men is like a drug that clouds my thinking and causes me to lose sight my real purpose. I am Your servant and I answer to You alone. I exist to serve and please You. Thank You for using Paul to deliver that much-needed reminder. Now, help me to live it out in everyday life. Amen

God Uses the Undeserving to Do the Unimaginable

March 21, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

⁷Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. ⁸For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. ⁹I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. ¹⁰For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” ¹¹Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. ¹²Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. – 2 Corinthians 10:7-12 ESV

Paul had his critics. They seemed to dog his steps and show up wherever he went, and Corinth was no exception. For whatever reason, Paul was always having to defend his apostleship. It seems that his critics constantly tried to discredit Paul by questioning his claim to be an apostle of Jesus. Paul was fully aware that his commissioning by the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus was far from conventional. He was not one of the original disciples, and, unlike John, James, Peter, and the others, Jesus had not hand-picked Paul at the beginning of His earthly ministry. Nor had Paul spent three years serving as a disciple of the Messiah or been present on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples.

Paul realized that his calling had been radically different, but no less real. He had met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, who declared to him, “Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15b NLT).

But while his apostolic authority was the primary point of objection for his critics, Paul also faced attacks on a variety of other fronts. In a desperate attempt to undermine Paul’s influence among the Corinthians, his opponents even accused Paul of being weak. They painted him as a powerless imposter who hid behind his pen, writing scathing, authoritative-sounding letters full of demands and commands. But in person, he proved to be a disappointment, challenged by physical weakness and less-than-impressive rhetorical skills. According to their view, Paul was a mouse masquerading as a lion; the only thing less impressive than his oratory skills was his physical stature.

Rather than trying to refute their accusations, Paul agreed with them. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul admitted, “When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan” (1 Corinthians 2:1 NLT). He went on to explain, “I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5 NLT). Paul would go on to confess, “I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church” (1 Corinthians 15:9 NLT). Paul referred to himself as “the least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8) and the worst of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:16).

So, Paul wholeheartedly agreed with his critics’ assessment of his weakness. Just a few chapters later in this same letter, Paul eagerly and proudly exclaims, “I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT). Rather than considering his weakness as a negative, he viewed it as a positive characteristic that forced him to rely upon God’s power instead of his own. His weaknesses did not negate his authority; they confirmed it. He refused to allow his critics to undermine his authority simply because they were unimpressed with his presence. He was God’s representative, ordained by the resurrected Jesus and commissioned to build up the body of Christ.

As is almost always the case in a dispute over authority, there was someone in Corinth who also claimed to be speaking for Christ. That is what led Paul to say, “If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.” (2 Corinthians 10:7 NLT). This individual had painted Paul as a weakling whose bold, in-your-face letters were a cover-up for his far-from-impressive persona. He suggested that Paul spent so much time away because he knew his letters were more effective than his physical presence. But Paul refuted this accusation, declaring, “Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.” (2 Corinthians 10:11 NLT).

Paul was not going to get into a war of words or attempt to defend his ministry based on outward appearances or physical attributes. In fact, he told the Corinthians, “Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!” (2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT). For Paul, the message was all that really mattered. He saw himself as nothing more than an unworthy vessel through which God poured out the blessing of the gospel upon the undeserving and those in need of mercy. Paul had already told the Corinthians that the gospel message was not about him.

You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT

Fragile clay jars. Cheap household pottery. It wasn’t the receptacle that was meant to impress, but the contents contained within it. Paul never intended to overwhelm people with his power, presence, or eloquence. He simply wanted to be faithful to his calling and allow the power of God to flow through him.

For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 NLT

Father, we tend to make more of the container than we do the content. We can easily become impressed with the speaker and lose sight of the message he is supposed to be sharing. We put a high value on rhetorical skills and outward appearance. But, as You said to Samuel, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). It seems clear that Paul was a far-from-impressive speciman of a man. He wasn’t good looking, naturally charismatic, or a verbal wordsmith. Yet, You used him to spread the good news concerning Jesus to the ends of the earth. Your strength was made evident in his weakness. Your power was displayed through his glaring insufficiencies. That is how You work. You use the unimpressive to accomplish the impossible. You use the weak to perform wonders. You choose the undeserving to do the unimaginable. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NLT). And to that, I say, “Amen!”

The Weapon of Words in the War of Wills

March 20, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

¹I, Paul, myself entreat 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!— ²I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. ³For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ⁶being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. – 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 ESV

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but Paul’s experience was just the opposite. His long-distance relationship with the Corinthians had created some significant leadership issues for him. While he had been away, various individuals had shown up who questioned his apostolic authority, accused him of being heavy-handed, painted him as a coward, and labeled him weak. A good portion of this letter contains Paul’s defense of his actions and authority. He felt compelled to defend himself because, ultimately, an attack on him was an attack on the very gospel he preached. He viewed the battle as a spiritual one. For Paul, this wasn’t just a case of one man’s opinion over another’s; it was about the integrity of the gospel.

Paul uses military terms to describe what was happening, and he indicates that the conflict was taking place behind the scenes in the spiritual realm. Those who were raising doubts about Paul’s integrity and undermining his ministry were actually being used by Satan himself to damage the cause of Christ. He makes it clear that the attacks against him demanded more than a “fleshly” response. He was human (of the flesh), but his actions were anything but fleshly (according to human means). He says, “We do not wage war according to human standards” (2 Corinthians 10:3b NLT). He wasn’t going to resort to human means to fight a spiritual battle. Manipulation, deceit, slander, lying, self-promotion, power-grabbing, and hypocrisy had no place in a battle that was spiritual in nature.

Yet, Paul’s enemies were waging war according to the flesh. They were using any means possible to tear down Paul and destroy his influence among the Corinthians. They spread rumors about him and raised questions about his integrity. They insinuated his lack of trustworthiness and flatly denied his apostleship. They accused him of timidity when he was among them, but of being arrogantly bold when he was writing his letters from a safe distance.

But Paul used a different fighting technique. He says, “The weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT). He knew the source of his enemies’ attacks, and it was none other than Satan. Paul was facing more than a war of words and wits. He describes the verbal attacks of his enemies as “arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5a NLT).

When these people attacked Paul and his ministry, they were really speaking against God Himself. These pawns of the enemy were causing people to doubt the reality of God and the veracity of His offer of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. The NET Bible translates verse five as, “we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.” Paul wasn’t going to let the false opinions and deceptive teachings of his enemies slide by. He was going to attack them and make them his captive, forcing them to surrender to the sovereignty and Lordship of Christ.

Paul was ready to come and clean house, but his primary concern was the Corinthians’ obedience to God’s will. Once that was taken care of, he would do business with the rebels in their midst, punishing their disobedience once and for all. Paul was anything but politically correct or tolerant. He did not operate on the notion that everyone is free to have their own opinion, at least not when it came to the gospel’s message. And since the gospel included man’s salvation, sanctification, and ultimate glorification, Paul was anything but tolerant of those who claimed to teach a different version of the gospel. He would not tolerate anyone who questioned his commission by Christ because there was too much at stake.

The phrase, “taking every thought captive,” has often been construed to mean that believers are to manage their thought lives. They are to think right thoughts and to control the inner workings of their minds. And while this is true, it would seem that Paul’s point has nothing to do with our thoughts, but with those of the enemies of God. We are to do battle with these false teachings and vain philosophies, taking them captive, like prisoners at the end of a victorious battle. We are to force those thoughts to submit to the Lordship of Christ, like captives kneeling before a conquering king. They have proven insufficient and inadequate to overthrow the King of kings and Lord of lords.

To stand for the truth, you must know it. If we are to do battle with the false teachings and the subtle lies of the enemy, it is essential that we know what the truth is. We can’t spot the counterfeit if we don’t know what the real thing looks like. Our familiarity with the truth enables us to recognize falsehood and stand against it. Our commitment to that truth motivates us to resist the lies, no matter what form they take.

Exposing the enemy’s lies is one of our primary functions as believers. Paul was at war, but he knew he was on the winning side. He was willing to go out swinging, never letting up or giving up, until the Lord called him home. Which is why he could write the following declaration of confidence to his young protegé, Timothy.

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT

Father, I want to fight the good fight. But I know that means I have to know who my enemy is and what I am fighting for. We live in a confusing world that propogates lies and attempts to promote false versions of the truth. There are so many false gospels out there that offer alternative promises of hope but leave out the reality of sin and the need for a Savior. That was exactly what Paul was dealing with, and nothing has changed. Even among professing believers, there is an ongoing battle over what the truth is and how we are to live in a world where relativity and tolerance rule the day. We are in a spiritual war in which primary weapon of the enemy is words. In the garden, Satan got to Eve by saying, “Did God actually say?” (Genesis 3:1 ESV). By questioning the accuracy and reliability of Your words, he caused Eve to doubt Your authority, and, ultimately, Your goodness. Satan’s tactics have not changed, but his efforts have intensified. He is desperate to win the battle for the minds of men and will stop at nothing to obscure the truth of the gospel. Give me the strength and determination to stand for the truth to the bitter end. Don’t let me get distracted by the cares of this world. Don’t allow me to give up or grow weary. I want to stand for the truth until You call me home or Your Son returns. Amen

Giving To Give God Glory

March 19, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

⁶The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰He 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. ¹¹You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. ¹²For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ¹³By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! – 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 ESV

There is a certain segment of Christendom today that operates on the “give-to-get” philosophy, which holds that God is somehow obligated to “pour out a blessing” on all who give. They use this very passage to teach that the more you give, the more God is obligated to pay you back for your generosity. But is that what Paul is teaching? Is he portraying giving as some kind of divine financial investment strategy that guarantees a low-risk, high-yield return? There is little doubt that Paul is implying that those who give sparingly shouldn’t expect God to bless them, and those who give generously will experience a bountiful return on their investment. But what is the nature of that return? Is it more money? Is Paul guaranteeing a high financial yield to the more generous among us? If he is, then the motivation behind the giving becomes based on greed and avarice.

Paul’s emphasis is on giving and doing so freely and liberally. But the motivation should be based on submission to the will of God and a recognition of His grace and generosity toward us. Anything we have to give has been given to us by Him, so our giving is to be out of gratitude, not greed. It is to be an expression of love for the saints, not a lust for increased wealth.

Paul emphasizes that our giving should be done cheerfully, not for a financial return, but to do the will of God and to participate in the care of the saints and the cause of His Kingdom. The motivation behind our giving is dependence upon God, not money. Paul says, “God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

When we give, we are releasing our hold or dependence upon the very resources the world says are our source of hope and means of self-reliance. But Paul says that when we give, we show our dependence on God. We are submitting our care to His divine will and ability to meet our daily needs. When we give generously and cheerfully, we display our belief that God will not allow us to go hungry. It is His grace that He will pour out on us, and not necessarily in the form of money. According to Paul, God has a greater concern for us than our financial stability.

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. – 2 Corinthians 9:10 ESV

Notice what is being harvested: Your righteousness. The real benefit behind our giving is righteousness, not financial reward.

The other fruit produced from sowing generously is thanksgiving. And Paul extends the concept of giving beyond just the financial arena.

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:11 ESV

When we willingly obey God’s prompting to give of our money, time, or talents, we will find that God enriches us with even more of those same resources so that we might continue to give. The point is not that we are giving to get more of whatever it is we just gave away, but that we might see the grace of God poured out on us and through us. That is what produces thanksgiving to Him. When we see God at work in our lives, using us and blessing us, we can’t help but be grateful to Him for His grace and goodness.

Paul goes on to say, “the service of this ministry is not only providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12 NLT). In other words, our generous giving produces a crop of thanksgiving from those who are the beneficiaries of our giving. They will be grateful to us, but more importantly, they will express gratitude to God. Not only that, “they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone” (2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT).

Our giving results in their gratitude and God’s glory, and it all starts with our submission to God that comes as a result of our salvation by God. Our generosity, in whatever form it takes, is a byproduct of our salvation. We love because He first loved us. We give because He has so graciously given to us.

Paul would have us remember that our giving is an expression of God’s “surpassing grace” upon us. And like Paul, we should be able to say, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV). We are the recipients of God’s grace, His unmerited favor. We are the beneficiaries of His benevolent, sacrificial gift of His own Son’s death as payment for our sins. Our debt was paid by His sacrifice. God gave the greatest thing He had to give so that we might have life, and it is because of that inexpressible gift that we are to give to others. And the return on investment? An increase in righteousness, thankfulness, and glory to God.

Father, I have to admit that this whole section of Paul’s letter seems to be like a broken record that keeps repeating itself. Part of me wants him to change subjects and move on to something less convicting and uncomfortable. But it is clear that generosity was important to Paul because it was important to You. He wasn’t a pastor trying to raise money for a new sanctuary or a parking lot expansion. He was a faithful shepherd encouraging his flock to see their God-given blessings as resources to serve one another. I can’t help but think about Paul’s words to the believers in Rome.

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” – Romans 12:6-8 NLT

We live under the constant fear of never having enough. But You are a good and gracious God who has promised to supply all our needs. You did not promise us a life of ease, comfort, riches, and convenience. But You did promise to supply all our needs through Your glorious riches (Philippians 4:19), and all You ask is that we share what we have been given with others – for their good and Your glory. Amen

Give Graciously and Love Well

March 18, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

¹Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, ²for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. ³But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. ⁴Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. ⁵So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. – 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 ESV

By now, it should be clear that the collection of funds for the saints in Judea was near and dear to Paul’s heart. It was a high priority for him, and not just because he was the one who came up with the idea. Paul truly believed in the reality of the body of Christ and the necessity of its corporate unity that extended beyond geographic and ethnic boundaries. Of all people, he had been privileged to experience the true nature of the family of God as he traveled around the world, witnessing the gospel transform the lives of people from every walk of life and every tribe, tongue, and nation. He saw the wealthy and the wise come to faith in Christ, as well as the impoverished and uneducated. He had witnessed born-again slaves attending worship with their saved masters. He had seen the love of God displayed among those who, at one time, would have never associated with one another.

The transformative power of the gospel was not speculative for Paul; he had seen it first-hand. And he longed to see every believer experience the full extent of its power by encouraging them to willingly submit to God’s will in every area of their lives. This included the area of giving.

So Paul continues to bring up the subject of the collection for the believers in Judea. Why? Was it so he could brag to Peter and the other apostles in Jerusalem about how much money he was able to raise? No, it was so he could watch the Corinthians discover the joy of giving and the thrill of God’s blessing that comes through a life of obedience.

Paul tells the Corinthians that he is sending Titus and his companions to ensure they follow through on their commitment to give. It is not that he doubts them; he has already been bragging about them to the Madedonians. It is just that he knew human nature and was well aware that the enemy would attack them from within and without, attempting to distract them from this God-given mission. It is one thing to say you will give. It is another thing to make it happen. They had made a commitment to give; now Paul wanted to make sure they didn’t renege. To do so would bring shame to them and do damage to the name of Christ.

For Paul, the motivation behind their giving was as important as the gift itself. He didn’t want them to give under compulsion or with any sense of regret. He also didn’t want them to expect something in return for their generosity. That is what he means by “not as an exaction.” The Greek word he uses is pleonexia, and it means “greedy to have more” (“G4124 – pleonexia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 11 Oct, 2016).

Just a few verses later, Paul states, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV). The motivation for our giving should not be to get something back from God. We do not give to get; we give because God has so graciously given to us. Our motivation comes from our gratitude to God and shows up in our love for others. Giving, expecting gratitude and praise from the recipient, is an improper motivation.

Jesus warned about the danger of doing good to seek glory and recognition.

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:1-4 ESV

Giving is a privilege, but it is also a responsibility. God could meet the needs of others in a variety of ways, but He has chosen to use us as the primary means of distributing His resources among His people. He blesses us so that we might be a blessing to one another. He provides one with abundance so that they might share with those in need. Paul refers to the collection of funds for the Judean Christians as “the ministry for the saints.” In his eyes, it was a ministry, a God-ordained mission to display His love in tangible, practical ways. It was His plan for the body of Christ to minister to itself through selfless acts of sacrificial giving and the use of their Spirit-empowered giftedness.

Father, You have called us to be a giving people who mirror Your grace, mercy, love, and generosity to all those around us, especially to those who share our faith in You. In a world married by the sin of selfishness and .self-centeredness, we are to be like a breath of fresh air, providing a refreshing and revitalizing glimpse of Your goodness. But the enemy wants us to reject Your call to gracious giving and focus all our attention on resources on ouselves. Jesus said that the world would know we were His disciples by the way we love one another, and giving is just another expression of our love. Hoarding isn”t loving. Refusing to share our time, talent, and resources is a not-so-subtle form of hate. James made that clear when he wrote, “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” (James 2:15-16 NLT). I don’t want to be that kind of person. So, would you use Your Holy Spirit to help me live out the truth of John’s admonition?

“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” (1 John 3:17-18 BSB). Amen

Doing Right Requires Righteousness

March 17, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

¹⁶But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. ¹⁷For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. ¹⁸With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. ¹⁹And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. ²⁰We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, ²¹for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. ²²And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. ²³As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. ²⁴So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. – 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 ESV

Paul unashamedly and boldly asked the Corinthians to participate in a fundraising effort to alleviate the suffering of the Hebrew Christians living in Judea. Ongoing persecution and the lingering effects of a recent famine had left them in dire straits, and Paul was doing all that he could to raise support from the churches in Macedonia, Achaia, Asia Minor, and Galatia. And the church in Corinth was to be no exception. He wanted them to know the joy of participating in the gracious support of their fellow believers, even those whom they had never met. Paul was not commanding the Corinthians to give because he did not want them to do so out of compulsion or with any sense of regret. But he was unapologetically claiming that their giving would be in keeping with the example of Christ Himself. Paul reminds them that, though Christ “was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9b NLT).

Paul knew that he was doing the right thing, but he had a strong desire to do it in the right way. He was fully aware that everything he did was analyzed and critiqued by his enemies. And while he wasn’t one to waste time worrying about what men thought about him, he did worry about the potential damage his actions might do to the name and cause of Christ. That’s why he was taking special care to handle the collection of the funds in a way that was above board and free from accusation by his enemies.

He was sending Titus to collect whatever gift the Corinthians could provide, because they knew Titus and had built a solid relationship with him. But Paul was also sending another individual, “the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 8:18 ESV). It is unclear who this brother was, but evidently, the Corinthians knew exactly who Paul was talking about because he was well-known and well-respected by them. This individual had a reputation for trustworthiness, and Paul indicates that he had “been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us” (2 Corinthians 8:19 ESV).

Paul wasn’t taking any chances because he knew his efforts to raise funds for the Hebrew Christians in Judea provided a perfect opportunity for his enemies to accuse him of everything from extortion and greed to larceny and the abuse of power. But in the end, what Paul was most concerned about was the name of Christ. He did not want to do anything that might damage the reputation of His Savior or detract from the cause of the gospel. So he took extra precautions to ensure that his efforts were blameless and free from any hint of impropriety.

We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. – 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 NLT

It was Jesus who said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 ESV). Peter echoed these words.

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. – 1 Peter 2:12 NLT

As believers, we are to always do the right thing, but it is just as important that we do in the right way. We must always consider the outcome of our actions and keep in mind that our conduct is being analyzed by those around us, especially unbelievers. We are ambassadors for Christ, and all that we do in this life is to be done on His behalf and in His name. We speak and act on His part, and even our right actions, if not done in the right way, can produce the wrong results and bring harm to the name of Christ.

We can’t afford to live with the attitude: “Who cares what they think?” Our conduct has consequences. Our actions speak volumes. Every word and deed is a potential testimony that will reflect either positively or negatively on the cause of Christ. What we do matters, but how we do it is just as important.

Paul was unashamed to ask the Corinthians for money, but he was unwilling to do it in a way that might damage his reputation, hinder his ministry, or bring shame to the name of Christ.

We don’t want anyone suspecting us of taking one penny of this money for ourselves. We’re being as careful in our reputation with the public as in our reputation with God. – 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 MSG

That is how we are to live, and that is the attitude we must maintain as we do so. Our mission matters; so does our methodology. We must always strive to do the right thing, the godly thing, in the right way – blamelessly and above reproach.

Father, as Your child, it matters what I do. But I know I have to put a higher priority on doing the right thing in the right way. My motives matter. My attitude makes a difference. As Paul points out, You love a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). You always look at the heart and Your Son said, “What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). So if I give begrudgingly, I may appear to be doing the right thing, but I am doing it with a wrong heart. If I say all the right things, but I harbor bitterness or anger toward someone, my words are meaningless. Paul said, “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT). So, I want don’t want to just do the right thing; I want to do it in the right way and with a righteous heart. With David I pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT). Amen

Blessed To Be a Blessing

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 / kdmiller55 / Leave a comment

⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. ¹⁰And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. ¹¹So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. ¹²For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. ¹³For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness ¹⁴your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. ¹⁵As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”– 2 Corinthians 8:9-15 ESV

Paul makes it clear that his call for the Corinthians to give to the needs of the Judean Christians was not a command. “I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine” (2 Corinthians 8:8 ESV). He knew that if he commanded them to give, their doing so would be out of a sense of legalism, not love. Their giving would be done grudgingly, not willingly. It would be accompanied by regret, not rejoicing. It was Paul’s sincere desire that their giving be based on their understanding of and appreciation for all that Jesus Christ had done for them.

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT

Jesus sacrificed all that He had in order to pay for the sins of mankind. He gave His own life to redeem lost men and women who were trapped in the debt they owed due to sin, and condemned to eternal separation from God. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul elaborates on the remarkable grace of Jesus and how it should motivate the believer’s life.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

    and gave him the name above all other names,

     that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

     and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:3-11 NLT

The same attitude that Christ had; that is what Paul is calling the Corinthians to have. Christ displayed humility, selflessness, sacrifice, obedience, love, and a willingness to finish what He started, to complete what He had been called to do, out of obedience to His heavenly Father and love for those He came to save.
Paul calls on the Corinthians to follow Christ’s lead and to finish what they began. A year earlier, they had begun the process of giving toward the needs of the saints in Judea, but had evidently failed to finish the job. So Paul gives them a little friendly advice.
It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. – 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 NLT
Paul was not asking them to “give until it hurts” or to give what they did not have. This was not about the redistribution of wealth or some form of socialist economic equality. It was simply the love of Christ lived out in everyday life, as the body of Christ ministered to itself. Paul was calling one group to share with those who had nothing; the blessed being a blessing. As Paul had told the Philippian believers, the mutual care and concern among Christians was to be nothing more than an extension of their relationship with Christ.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. – Philippians 2:1-2 NLT
While reciprocity or payback should not motivate our giving, Paul points out that the day may come when the tables are turned. We may find ourselves on the receiving end of someone else’s generosity and loving aid. When there are needs to be met, we are to give out of what we have, no more, no less. We are to give selflessly, even sacrificially, because we share a common bond in Christ. And in giving, we should be encouraged to know that, should we ever find ourselves in need, our brothers and sisters in Christ will be there for us as well. As a family, we share the love of God and a common bond in Christ.
The principle at play here is the sovereign blessing of God on His people. Paul uses the Old Testament story of the Exodus as an illustration. When the people of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, God met their needs, including providing food. In the evening, God provided them with quail, and in the mornings, they found manna. Each day, the people would go out and gather the manna, provided to them by God, but they were to follow Moses’ instructions.
“Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.” And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. – Exodus 16:16-18 ESV
God had provided, and no one had need, so hoarding was unnecessary. If they attempted to keep more than they needed for their own personal needs, it rotted. God did not want them to depend on the manna for their needs; He wanted them to trust in Him. In His infinite wisdom, God gave them exactly what they required to survive, no more and no less. No one went hungry, and no one needed to gather excess just in case the manna didn’t show up the next day. God would provide.
That same principle applied to the people of Corinth. Since God was meeting their needs, they had all they required to exist. There was no need to hoard or selfishly withhold the blessings of God for a rainy day. Whatever the Corinthians enjoyed by way of abundance had been made possible by God. Their excess was not intended for their own security, but for the needs of others. Just as our spiritual gifts are intended for the body and not for our own benefit, so our financial blessings are intended for the good of all. God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to others.

Father, I would never characterize myself as a hoarder but, when it comes to practicing generosity and grace-filled giving, I can certainly come across that way. It is so easy to justify my reluctance to give to others because I fear that if I give, I may not have enough for tomorrow. Yet, You have never failed to meet my daily needs. Even when times have been difficult, You have always come through, and You have graciouly used the generosity of others to meet my needs. But when the shoe is on the other foot, it is easy to rationailize my reluctance to give as nothing more than “frugality” and “saving for a rainy day.” I am reminded of the Proverb that states, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you’” (Proverbs 3:27-28 NLT). You have never treated me that way. When I have called, You have always answered. When I have had needs, You have provided. So, there is no reason that I should withhold what I have from those in need around me. Amen

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