What Parents Lay Up For Children

💡Big Idea

Takeaways and Next Steps

📖Bible Passage

2 Corinthians 12:14

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Points

• Both of the prior times that Paul ministered in Corinth, it was later met with ungratefulness and accusations against Paul.
  • Paul was accused of showing favoritism to the other churches. He was accused of treating the Corinthians as inferior.
    • Paul corrected this saying the only way in which the Corinthians were inferior to the other churches was in that Paul chose not to be a burden to them (chose not to accept financial assistance from them). 2 Corinthians 12:13
    • The Corinthians were doubly ungrateful. They not only despised the generosity he had for them, but they even painted his generosity as a wrong done against them.
• From this we learn that ministering for the Gospel is not about taking the money. True ministers are not seeking money or gain, but to seek the salvation of the lost.
  • Paul: “I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you.” 2 Corinthians 12:14
    • Paul doesn’t seek their money.
    • Instead Paul seeks to increase their spiritual wellbeing.
  • There are many ministers today whose purpose is to receive money. Beware of any minister who seeks the things that are yours rather than seeking you.
  • Mark 10:42-45 : “*Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” *”
  • It is a bad thing to be devoted to gain.
  • If a man is a faithful pastor, then he will seek the salvation of the flock and nothing else.
    • His pay will be an added blessing. A “cherry on the top”. But it is not his true compensation.
• Paul uses the analogy of parenthood.
  • Paul describes himself as a spiritual father towards the Corinthians, and the Corinthians are his beloved children.
  • Paul reminds them: “the children ought not to save up for the parents, but for the parents for the children”
    • This is why Paul did not accept possessions from the Corinthians. It was to their benefit.
  • lay up: “For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.”
    • lay up is the same language used by Jesus in Luke 6:19-21
      • “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth”.
      • “Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.”
• But how can a parent provide for their children spiritually if they are spiritually bankrupt.
  • We as parents, ought to examine ourselves, and our relationship toward God.
  • Are we in fact providing spiritually for our children, or are we a detriment to them.
• The Bible speaks of the Gospel as receiving great riches and abundance.
• The Word of God says that sinful man is bankrupt spiritually.
  • Sinners are bankrupt toward God.
    • We bring no value, nothing that we can point to for our worthiness.
  • Worse yet, sinners are in debt to God.
    • We are worse than lacking. We have negative value for we have affronted and offended our true, and perfect, spotless, holy God.
    • Matthew 5:25-26 : This debt puts us at risk of punishment.
    • That debt of sin is eternal in scope and amount because it is an affront to our eternal and perfect God.
  • Thank God there is One who paid the debt for sinners. That is why Jesus Christ died on the cross in Calvary.
    • But if you do not believe in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, Christ has not paid that debt for you. You are in deep trouble with God.
• Self-denial:
  • Paul: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”
    • Paul spends for his children. Giving his possessions to them.
    • Paul is spent for his children. Not only giving his possessions, but giving himself.
      • His energy, time, reputation, livelihood, safety and so much more.
  • There is a price to pay for our children. It requires self-sacrifice. Generosity. Self-denial. Loving your children above yourself.
  • Philippians 2:8 Christ paid the utmost price for us.
• What is the most important thing for your children in your home?
  • Is it their safety, educational, developmental status?
    • These are very important, pale in comparison to their need for spiritual salvation and development.
    • Are you willing to pay the price for your children? Are you willing to lay up for your children?

Application

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Further Study

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💬Discussion Questions

1. What is the most important thing for your children in your home?
2. Are you willing to pay the price for your children? Are you willing to lay up for your children?