Note 9 at 2 Cor. 12:15: Paul was not in the ministry for the recognition he could receive from it. It is true that ministers receive a lot of praise from the people who benefit from their ministry. It is fitting that people who have been saved, healed, delivered, and transformed from someone's ministry should say, "thank you," and show their appreciation. But that cannot be a minister's motive for ministry.

There will always be plenty of people who don't receive who will criticize and persecute every godly minister (2 Tim. 3:12). Those who are in the ministry to build their egos will never make it. This is precisely the reason many ministers get offended and quit. This same selfless attitude that Paul exhibits here must be the foundation of every truly successful minister.