2 Corinthians 12:11

2 Corinthians 12:11 says, I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.  Paul said that the reason he had become a fool in glorifying himself was because the members of the church at Corinth had forced him to.  He was not doing it for his own benefit, but to answer those who were questioning or even denying his right to be an apostle.  Whenever Satan can get Christians to put down other Christians, he is delighted.  Verse twelve adds, Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.  Paul was basically declaring that his works should prove his apostleship without his having to defend himself.  He had done the work of an apostle with all patience, through signs, wonders, and mighty deeds.  As followers of Christ today, our work for Christ should show us to be His followers.  Verse thirteen continues, For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.  I believe that Paul was asking if the church at Corinth felt that they were inferior to other churches, which they would have been had they been established by an inferior apostle, one who didn't really have a true relationship with Christ.  We need to realize that if a church, or fellowship of believers, is truly established on salvation through Christ alone, that none is inferior to another, no matter the size of the congregation.  Paul then asked if they felt inferior because he didn't ask them to support him.  Again, not being able to fully support a preacher, or minister, does not make a church inferior to one that can.  God is the One that empowers both.  Paul then said that if his not looking to them for support made them feel that they, or Paul himself, were someone inferior, that he asked their forgiveness.  Material wealth should never determine how a church is viewed, but I am afraid that it often is.  Sometimes people seem to put more pride in the church they attend than they do in their own commitment to Christ.  Verse fourteen states, Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  Paul said that he was ready for the third time to come to them, but we have no evidence that he made it.  He also said he would still not ask them for support, because the were still young in their faith.  Our plans may not always be God's plans, but that does not mean we should not make plans, only that we should acknowledge God's right to change them.  Verse fifteen adds, And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.  Paul said he would provide for himself and even give his life gladly for the church at Corinth.  He then said that it seemed the more abundantly he loved them, the less they loved Him.  We cannot guarantee that the things we do for other Christians will always be appreciated, but we should not let that stop us from doing them if we know that is what God wants.