When you decide to serve others, you will be required to give more than you expected. This will happen because you will see the need is more significant than you first thought, but also it will be to make people happy that will never be happy. Jesus encourages us to go the extra mile. in serving others. It is humbling, but it glorifies God and opens the door for the Gospel to be preached.
2 Corinthians 11:7-8
Or 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? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.
Opened Himself to Criticism
I have mentioned several times that there was a faction in the church in Corinth that was brutal toward Paul. They criticized his appearance and his speaking skills. Here he shoots back at them by telling them that he may not be the best speaker, but he did it free of charge by robbing other churches. Paul was a tentmaker and worked in the marketplace with Priscilla and Acquilla. He also took support money from the poor churches in Macedonia so that he wouldn’t open himself to any other criticism in Corinth. He deserved to be compensated but humbled himself and did it free of charge.
Don’t Let It Get to You
You are never going to escape the criticism of others, and if you try, you will only exhaust yourself. Paul did everything he could, and it still came. Sometimes you have to put your head down and do what God has called you to do. Losing sleep over someone’s criticism only hurts you. Take the truth and then dispose of the rest. Don’t let it immobilize you, move on and improve.
Go the Extra Mile
Jesus went even further and told us that if someone demands our coat, give them your tunic as well. Go the extra mile in serving others, but don’t let them drag you down into an abyss of despair. Keep the Gospel of Jesus Christ first and foremost in your mind and keep on serving. You will find inner contentment as you give of your time and energy.