2 Corinthians 10:13
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
God assigns to each worker a defined measure and sphere, a rule covering labor and influence and support, field and responsibility, extending to the people and places within that appointed reach. In Paul's case that God-given scope extended to preaching the gospel as far as Corinth among the Corinthians, and the verse belongs to his defense of that assigned authority without claiming credit beyond it. The chapter records his difficulties and his defense of his course, including laboring with his hands while preaching the gospel.
The verse forbids boasting beyond that measure, measuring self by self and comparing self with others, claiming another person's prepared work made ready, and seeking self-approval and self-commendation. Approval comes only from the Lord, in whom alone to glory and whose commendation alone is to be sought. Remaining within proper limits flows from close connection with God, which gives true spiritual discernment, consciousness of personal weakness and deficiency and unlikeness to Christ, a humble opinion of self, and a meek and lowly heart that walks prayerfully and carefully before God.
Faithfulness within the measure includes hope for enlargement as faith grows to carry the gospel to farther regions and preach in regions beyond. That enlargement was understood to include extending the truth beyond the school to nearby Newcastle and Maitland while laboring humbly. For institutional workers this means accepting God's assignment and going where God sends, and not insisting on being greatly favored, demanding wages equal to another, or offering labor to the highest bidder. It means not becoming wise above what is written by exalting human wisdom above Scripture, not appropriating means for personal use, and not robbing the treasury while neglecting laborers in hard fields, nor seeking to retain the self-seeking even as editors or managers.
Such self-measuring is the evil leaven of selfishness and covetousness, double-dealing and unbelief, a corrupting influence that threatens schools and institutions and churches and imperils souls. God is not with that course and will pass judgment on it.