Day 123: I'll do it for free – 1 Corinthians 9 vs 13 – 23

13-14 Don’t you realise that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.

15-18 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.

19-20 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. (New Living Translation's paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 9:13-23)

In this chapter the apostle Paul had been teaching the Christians at Corinth that people who devoted themselves to taking the gospel into the world deserved practical and financial support from those in the Church who had normal jobs. In vs 13-14 he shows how this was true even in the Old Testament of those who served in the temple. But Paul had chosen to not ask for or expect any financial help from them. What are the reasons he gave for doing that? (vs 15-18)

I'd say it was because he wanted them to know that his reason for travelling to different places and preaching the gospel was not to 'earn a living' – and certainly not to get rich! He felt a deep responsibility to God to proclaim the Saviour, and he would do it even if no-one ever paid him anything. Why was he so willing to tell others of Jesus even when it meant such personal hardship for himself? (vs 22)

It was because he agreed with the words Jesus' disciple Peter spoke to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem when he said: “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Peter was speaking of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. So Paul longed to see people saved! In fact, Paul longed so much to see people saved from sin that he went out of his way to not do anything that would cause unnecessary obstacles for them. That's what vs 19-22 are all about.

He was willing to put up with many of their traditions and customs as long as it didn't compromise the message of Jesus Christ. So today, a young person who longs to see mom and dad saved would be willing to obey their house rules and would do all they can to be helpful. And an older person would be willing to do the more humble roles at work in order to be a help to others and open the possibility of telling them about Christ.

Over the centuries missionaries gave up many comforts and lived in difficult conditions so that they could tell others of Jesus. They trusted God to provide for their needs. How lovely it is when we can support such people financially. Those who make vs 22 their passion in life will probably give the most.