When I was with you and needed something, I didn’t make you pay for it. The believers who came from Macedonia provided everything I needed. I haven’t made you pay for anything at all, and I won’t ever do that.
If others have the right to receive support from you, don’t we have an even greater right? But we haven’t used that right. No, we’re prepared to make any sacrifice we have to, rather than let anything get in the way of the good news of Christ.
So what reward do I get? Here’s my reward: being able to offer the good news free of charge, without claiming all my rights as a person who preaches the good news.
But I haven’t used any of those rights. And I’m not writing this because I want you to do things like that for me. I’d rather die than let anyone take away the satisfaction I get from bragging about this.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care. Watch over them, not because you have to, but because you want to. That’s what God wants you to do. Don’t do it to try to get money in dishonest ways, but because you really want to serve.
