By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
2 Corinthians 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” – NIV
Paul had a huge challenge in dealing with false teachers who made it their task to discredit and speak ill of him in Corinth. They did this because their intentions in ministry was not to preach the word to genuinely minister to others, but to them it was a business. As Paul states in the verse above, they were peddling the word of God for profit! Their fighting Paul in ministry was motivated by a feeling that he was hindering the gospel ‘business.’
How terrible this is, and yet so true and common even in our day! Some gospel ministers are not sent from God, but into preaching as a way of earning income. To them, ministry is business. The more ‘customers’ you have the better. Their focus then is more numbers, more strategies to woo people, fighting those who rise above them, advertise their ministries, convince as many about themselves, etc.
These results in dishonest ways which bring shame to God as they do anything to remain popular and win crowds to remain in business! Paul notes that to the contrary, as those sent from God, they speak before God with sincerity as they minister. Our primary accountability is to God, to be found doing only what He commissioned us to do. This will guard against any temptation to peddle His word for personal gain. May we be found as able ministers with sincere hearts before God. Integrity of every gospel minister is none negotiable.
2 Corinthians 4:2 “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”
Shalom. Fruitful week