In the first part of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul has spent a lot of time explaining why a minister should receive a salary.  Now he switches his line of argument completely.  Although Paul is free to receive payment from those to whom he ministers, he chooses not to.  He is afraid that if he is in the pay of someone in Corinth, the gospel will be hindered.  To Paul the gospel is more than a message ending in a strained altar call, where the unsaved in a congregation are willed toward the front by the faithful.  The gospel to Paul is a complete way of life.  There is one way to live which is bad news, saddens the soul and destroys it.  There is another way to live that is eternally significant, leads to trials of the will, and reconciles a wayward soul to God.  Paul wants nothing to stand in the way of communicating the truth of the gospel.  So, he gives up his rights.  Is there anything that important to you that you would easily give up things that you are entitled to so that it is protected?

1 Corinthians 9:12b – 14

But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. ¹³Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? ¹⁴In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Questions

1. What didn’t Paul use?
2. What example does Paul give to emphasize the contrast of his own position?
3. How can Paul live in contradiction to God’s command?
4. When have you seen someone give up what they are entitled to?  Why did they do it?
5. Is the gospel more important to you than anything else?

Going Deeper

Make a list of things that you value.  Where is God on the list?  How many of the things on the list, that you feel entitled to, would you give up for the gospel of Christ?  Have you placed more value on temporal, or material things, than eternal things?  Talk to God about your priorities.