2 Corinthians 6:12
You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4729
(ESV) restricted;(KJV) straitened; (BSB) restrained; (HCSB) limited.
Restricted: to be made narrow; to compress.
From the Greek word 'stenochóreó' (pronounced sten-okh-o-reh'-o). Literally, to hem in, to keep in a closed space. But, figuratively speaking, restricted means to withhold affection for someone because the heart is closed.
Paul and his companions had great love for the Corinthian church, but this love was not reciprocated. And he called their attention to it in his letter to them.
As believers who have the heart of Christ beating in us, we should have ample room to love and support other believers when necessity arises. For all of our finances came from God and all of our finances are at His disposal.
Putting a leash on our love is to rein in our generosity to the missionaries we have helped put in the fields to share the gospel.
Their expression of love towards Paul had dimmed and their generous hearts were now tightfisted.
Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries in the body which prevents the blood from flowing through it, sort of a trickle effect. The same was happening in the hearts of the Corinth church. They weren't listening to the Spirit, who guides each of our hearts into the ministry which has been prepared for us by God. Towards Paul and his fellow-workers they were denying them love and support.
Some churches take up love offerings to send to their missionaries. Some folks support varying Mission 3:16 mission-minded groups, such as VOM or Samaritan's Purse or Operation Outpour voluntarily. Even if a missionary is able to work wherever they are sent, our support is still vital; not just to them, but to us.
Our hearts need to be open and enlarged to be able to accomplish the work which God has called us to do. That only comes about when we have the Love of God living in us through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, Who is the extension of God's Love to the world.
Even a small church, even one person, can have an impact in God's kingdom when they, we, have God's Love, God's Son Jesus Christ, living and loving through us. But a church without such compassion has yet to reach its full potential as a church.
