So You’re a Priest: Living Before God AND Men

This is part 19 of a sermon series through 2 Corinthians. After writing briefly to the Corinthians about charity and giving to others, Paul now turns aside to validate the men he is sending to collect the monetary gift raised for other, more needy churches. Given current events in Washington, D.C., these verses appear very relevant! We want those to whom we entrust our money—tithes, taxes, or savings—to be above reproach!

2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Commentary

Last time I said that the eagerness that Paul describes refers to a heart attitude that translates into action. We might call a person with this kind of attitude a zealot; we might say that they’re “on fire for the Lord.” This type of person is characterized by action, not by words or feelings. The men that Paul is sending to collect the gift from the Corinthians are this sort of men: full of concern (v16), much enthusiasm (v17), eagerness to help (v19), and zeal ... now even more so (v22).

v19&20 administer. We think of administration as a high-ranking or supervisory function; however, the word used here is the verbal form of diakonia (from which we get the word deacon) and refers to humble acts of service.

v20-21 Although these verses do not explicitly refer to eagerness and zeal, the verses are a picture of that zeal in action. Their zeal is not just to distribute the gift to others, but to distribute it fairly, and to distribute it in a way that is completely above reproach.

v21 in the eyes of the Lord [and] men. We all play to some audience; we all try to impress somebody with how we act. The Bible is full of passages that speak of coming before God. Do you remember a time when you felt that God’s eyes were on you, that you had an audience with God?

taking pains. Distributing the gift in the correct way is as important as distributing the gift itself (perhaps more so). The verb refers to keeping something foremost in mind, making provision & thinking actions through in advance.v24 the churches can see. The sense here is the same as in v21 where one is living before God and other men. The onus is on us to encourage the church and for the church to affirm (or correct) us.

Application

Living before God and men: The mind is an infinitely deceitful organ, and tricks us into failing to adhere to this standard. When we spurn God and play to a human audience, we become hypocrites, living a lie as we appear one way to others. When we spurn humans and play to God, we become either legalistic or overly-spiritual. On one hand, we become Christian Pharisees. On the other, we become so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good; in becoming overly-spiritual, we believe the lie that strong feelings alone (feelings that don’t translate into action) can validate who we are. (Read James 2:14-26 & 1 John 3:16-18.)

One might think that spurning both God and men leads to nihilism, the rejection of all authority; however, your true God is the one you do serve zealously (with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength—Mark 11:20). Is that your self, your fears, your cravings? Come before God; come before him and be willing to surrender to God the false god you have been serving; ask God to give you zeal to live for him instead. He will hear you!

Points to Ponder

Do you think your elected officials in Washington D.C. are living to the standard set in v20-21

Another word on eagerness—I could also have said, “We might call someone that eager a fanatic.” Where are you fearful of being eager to do God’s will? Are you afraid it would change who you are at your core? Are you afraid of criticism? Are you afraid you won’t get what you want from life?