"I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children." vs14

Paul saw himself as a father to children. This is how preachers ought to see ourselves and our congregations. We ought not take advantage of them. We ought to be generous, humbling ourselves to serve them, rather than using them for glory and profit (building empires and monuments to ourselves.) We ought never try to be fed from the flock but to feed.

Preachers should be paid, but we NEVER preach for money. Our motive is pure. Paul says,

"For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery. Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts." 1 Thess 2:3-4

Our hearts are wide open to God, who sees no ulterior motive. We seek His glory and the people's good, because we have all in Christ. We're motivated by thanksgiving and deep concern. We're motivated by love.

Let love rule in our hearts, and we'll serve like Paul.

Secondly, it doesn't matter if we are not loved [vs15]. Paul continues, "I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?" It is God loving us as sinners: that's why we are saved. It's because of grace - free unmerited favor - that we have eternal life, so we extend the same unto others, preaching the gospel of a GRACIOUS GOD from a loving heart.

We give, because we have been given; it has nothing to do with man's worthiness. We are people of justice, grace, pity, and compassion. We are people of God, not just in word, but in deed and truth. We love our neighbors, especially those in the church, even if they are hard to deal with. Paul is an example. Let us put on love and feelings of compassion.

Thirdly, Paul's talking about working with his own hands to be unburdensome and catch them [vs16].

"But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit."

He went that far. He stooped to that level. The extensiveness of love is very deep, wide, and high. It's like the love of Christ that bore the worst death to give us everything. He gave Himself - bearing our penalty and punishment - to give us sonship with God! He HUMBLED Himself to give us the heights of heaven. This is the example. "Love one another, as I have loved you [John 14:34]."

Do you see that love commands more than we thought? It demands my life, my all, ON BEHALF OF OTHERS.

Fourthly, Paul did not exploit Corinth by those he sent them [vs17-18].

"Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you?" vs17

He was not like Eli, raising pampered and unfaithful sons. He was not trying to take money by the back door, pretending humility, like Gehazi. He proved his authenticity, even by those he approved of!

Let us be bold, lion hearted men, who demand faithfulness by those who serve with us.

Finally, Paul did not exploit Corinth, and this is a gospel ministry: it seeks the good of others and teaches sound doctrine. It's disinterested in self. It's gracious and self sacrificing; it abases self, and we all need to learn service! I've had MY OWN MINISTRY challenged like never before.