2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Isaiah 10:1-11:16 ESV, 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 ESV, Psalm 56:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 23:6-8 ESV
Daily Verse: “For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!” (2 Corinthians 12:13 ESV)
KATANARKAO (2655): “This word means to be a burden, to be burdensome, primarily signifying to be numbed or torpid, to grow stiff (narke is the torpedo or cramp fish, which benumbs anyone who touches it); hence, to be idle to the detriment of another person, like a useless limb. It is translated “be burdensome,” 2 Co 12:13-14.”[i]
Useless limb.
Paul did not cause a financial burden to the Corinthian church, using this opportunity to remind them of this fact. Facing false allegations, Paul exposes them by asking for forgiveness for not burdening the church.
In front of our house lives a river birch tree. Currently, one of the top branches has no leaves, unlike the others dressed in tear-dropped green attire. In other words, the useless limb has no benefit to the tree; dead and needs trimming.
Sharing Christ’s love shouldn’t burden anyone. Instead, like the limbs full of leaves, loving God and others helps them live life to the fullest. Useless limbs burden others, taking away vital nutrients that help others thrive.
Help don’t hurt.
Life challenges people enough without adding additional burdens to it. Jesus didn’t burden anyone, and neither should we. Everywhere Christ went, He uplifted and encouraged those around Him. If people didn’t choose to follow Him, Jesus let them live with their decision.
“See a need, meet a need,” a common phrase heard in the church community. Spreading God’s love by helping people touches their hearts and helps them grow. But if we become a burden, demanding instead of encouraging, we become lifeless limbs.
As you share Christ’s love today, find ways to encourage and uplift people. Whatever burdens you carry, lay them at the foot of the Cross, trusting Jesus to meet your needs. Then, look for the needs of others and help them thrive.
Loving God and others helps you live life to the fullest and those around you.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p.132) Thomas Nelson
