Be Sensitive About Being Misunderstood

Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Philippians 4:17
Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.

Apostle Paul depended on church donations and sometimes his own efforts to support his ministry. When donations were scarce, he suffered a great deal but kept preaching. He was a tentmaker and he made tents in order to provide for his ministry. Tentmaking was not always providing for his needs because of the frequent travel and persecution. Therefore donations were the way to keep his ministry going. The Philippians were among the few generous churches that supported him in his greatest need.

He writes Philippians 4:10-20 to appreciate them for their donations that have kept his ministry going. Though the donations were his right in ministry, 1 Corinthians 9:12-15, he still was grateful. It is good to be grateful even if you think it is something you deserve. Paul spares a few minutes to write down an appreciation to the church that supported him. Have we appreciated those who support us even when it is our right? A boss at work, a parent, a relative, a friend, a colleague, a domestic worker or whoever else has worked so well with us and made things good for us. Spare a thought for them.

However, we observe something in Paul’s appreciation note. Paul is so keen to ensure that he is not misunderstood. He does not want to be seen as appreciating in order to trigger more donations from them. We see the Apostle at pains to explain that this is not his intention for appreciating. The Apostle Paul was so sensitive that he should not be misunderstood. Be sensitive about being misunderstood!

Paul is sensitive because it is wrong and unacceptable to only be grateful when seeking more help. It is bad manners and unchristian to express appreciation as a way of asking for further help. That is actually not appreciation but veiled begging. This is the behavior of people who only contact you when they want to get a favor from you. They call for their own sake. They visit for their own sake. If they have nothing to gain they ignore your calls, texts, emails, etc. Paul is sensitive lest he is counted among such a terrible group of people. Be sensitive about being misunderstood!

Preachers, writers, public speakers, and even leaders must be sensitive about being misunderstood. Listen to yourself, do you make sense? Clarify what you are saying. Be clear on what you mean and what you do not mean. There is no point communicating if you do not care if you are misunderstood. Paul was sensitive lest he is misunderstood. Be sensitive about being misunderstood!

When you are misunderstood, people develop resentment and you cannot be effective in leading or communicating. Misunderstanding creates a barrier to your effectiveness. Paul did not want to be misunderstood. There will always be a small group of mischievous people who will always ensure that they deliberately misunderstand us and misrepresent what we did or said. We should ignore them after we have done our best to be understood by the majority. Be sensitive about being misunderstood!

It is easy to be misunderstood on money issues and issues that have to do with you being a beneficiary. Be sensitive where you may be perceived as a thief or corrupt or abusing office. Be sensitive where you may be seen to be taking advantage of the situation to benefit yourself. Paul did not want to seem like the donations he received had compromised him. He did not want to be misunderstood. If you are handling money for a group of people, an organization, a church, or even the government, be sensitive that you are not misunderstood. If you are in a position where you can make decisions that can benefit yourself, be sensitive that you are not misunderstood. Be sensitive that you are not misunderstood!

A good leader must be sensitive to whether they are misunderstood. This sensitivity forces the leader to regularly examine himself/herself. The leader who examines themselves and how they conduct their business, will be sensitive to how they are understood. Apostle Paul was a great leader!

1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

Among Corinthians, Paul refused to use their donations because they had already misunderstood his intentions. To therefore make his ministry legitimate, he rejected their donations, so that they know that he wasn’t doing this to get those donations. He did not want to be misunderstood. Misunderstanding meant the gospel would not be accepted by Corinthians. He sacrificed his comfort so that he can be understood. Be sensitive that you are not misunderstood!

Go to any and every length to prove that what is wrongly said about you is not true. Deny yourself what is best for you and make that point so that the gospel can be preached. Be sensitive that you are not misunderstood!

May God help us to be so clear and willing to clarify issues so that we are not misunderstood, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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