COVID has turned many pastors into “TV preachers,” at least where it comes to the internet. In order to reach members who weren’t able or willing to attend worship in person, many congregations had to install wi-fi, purchase cameras, and learn about livestreaming. As a result, production values have come to the forefront of our concerns – and it’s easy to place too much emphasis on trying to emulate the big churches with their audio/visual specialists and their expensive equipment.

In Ancient Corinth, the people were similarly interested in how the gospel was presented. They were impressed with polished sermons, and Paul doesn’t seem to have measured up to the oratorical standards of those who considered themselves to be “super-apostles” (vv. 5 and 6). Moreover, the wealthy Corinthians didn’t understand why Paul contented himself with the meager support that the much poorer, small-town churches in Macedonia could supply him instead of asking for the much larger offerings that they could afford to give (vv. 8-9).

And many modern Americans have fallen into a similar focus on wealth and pride. Thousands flock to experience the slick production values of the flashy televangelists with their private jets, even though they preach a false prosperity gospel, insisting as the ancient pagans did that giving to God is simply a way of getting more material blessings in return. And of course we all know what happened to the mainline denominations when they focused on their beautiful houses of worship and impressive educational institutions – they lost their faith in the Scriptures, and eventually in the atoning work of Christ.

But Paul challenges all of us who are tempted to be too impressed with wealth and sophistication. For he cared much more about the content than the packaging of his preaching, insisting that any preacher who deviates from the truths of Scripture is actually deceiving people (v. 13). Moreover, Paul wanted all Christians to turn away from our money and pride and seek instead a sincere and pure devotion to Christ (v. 3). And he modeled such devotion by humbling himself before his listeners so they might gain the true riches of God (v. 7).

We would still do well to seek out such pastors. But we would do even better to listen to their Biblical words and follow the example of their humble, Christ-centered lives.

II Corinthians 11:1-15 (ESV)

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!
2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
7 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.
9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.