"Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Don’t we have the right to eat and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas? 6 Or do Barnabas and I alone have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? 8 Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned with oxen? 10 Or isn’t He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 12 If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more?
However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.
But I have used none of these rights, and I have not written this to make it happen that way for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel."
I Corinthians 9:1-18
Good Morning Beloved,
Welcome to worship today!
We're so thankful you're here with us.
Today's Message: Attitude & Responsibility
Heavenly Father,
Today, we just thank You for our time together with Your Word, for the truths we are about to receive.
Lord, You know my heart, therefore, You know that this message not easy for my heart because it could easily be misunderstood, misrepresented. So Lord, I just pray, that Your Holy Spirit would be our teacher today.
I want to thank You for everybody who’s here with us, for prompting their hearts to join us, especially for those gathered from far around the world, where they might not have the freedom to worship You. Some know and love You with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Some are just beginning to know You and love You. And some as yet, are still outside, looking in.
Perhaps, as we’ve talk about the generosity of Christians and the love that we are called to share and how we’re to respond to each other in love and by generosity, maybe it’ll give them a glimpse of the magnificent beauty of the Christian experience through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Father, we also pray, that those who are already Christians, followers of Christ, that they would somehow find their hearts to be touched by these truths, and how to apply them, that it might come directly from Your Spirit. And those that aren’t yet Christians, might get a glimpse of the standard of Christian life, Your standard, a standard that is so foreign, so unusual in this world, in which we live today, so much so, that they might be drawn to Christ, receiving the precious gift of salvation through Him.
Father, we pray this in Jesus' precious name
Amen
Open with me your Bibles, please, to the book of I Corinthians, chapter 9. Today, in our continuing study of I Corinthians, we'll be taking a closer look at verses 1 through 18. If you would follow along with me as I read from our text today, to let it become settled in our hearts. I Corinthians 9:1-18.
"Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to those who examine me is this: Don’t we have the right to eat and drink? Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas? Or do Barnabas and I alone have no right to refrain from working? Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing? For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned with oxen? Or isn’t He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more?
However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.
But I have used none of these rights, and I have not written this to make it happen that way for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel."
I'm sure that you will recall in our continuing study of the book of I Corinthians, that in this letter, Paul is answering questions that the Corinthians asked, at least in the middle section. One of the questions they asked regarded eating meat that had been offered to an idol. In that pagan society, people would sacrifice meats to idols. Now, the meat that wasn’t burnt on the altar would wind up in a marketplace somewhere. The priests would take it and sell it, or the people would take it back and sell it, or they would take it back and serve it on their table.
So the situation was that Christians, were in the position where they would be eating meat that had been offered to an idol. And some of the Christians were questioning, whether this was right or not. The Corinthian people, the mature ones, the strong Christians were saying, “What’s the difference? There are no such things as other gods anyway. And, since an idol isn't real, it means nothing. Besides, God isn’t really too concerned about food. It isn’t what goes in you that defiles you; it’s what comes out of you.
Scripture teaches, in Christ we are free! So, the question, is "for what purpose are we free?" Yes, we do have the freedom to choose either to be fit and healthy or flabby and unhealthy. For did Christ purchase our freedom on the cross! However, was it equally for either option? Of course not! He secured our freedom through His own sacrifice in order that we might exercise our newfound freedom to follow Him in His ways and for His purposes!
There is much talk about our "Christian Liberty." But what does that really mean? In our text today, Paul answers this question for us as he responds to the Corinthians’ challenges against his apostleship as a result of his choosing to be different than their expectations. Imagine that?!
Beloved, Christian Liberty that honors Christ starts with a . . .SEAL OF APPROVAL.
If you will remember, in our study of I Corinthians, Paul introduced a principle, which we studied last time, in chapter 8. And the principle is this: Because you may have the freedom to do something, don’t do it if it’s going to hurt somebody else. Don’t do it if it’s going wound somebody else. Don’t do it if it’s going to grieve somebody else. Love becomes the limitation of our liberty. In other words, we don’t want to do something that causes someone to offend, or that causes somebody to fall into a temptation of sin that they cannot handle.
So, in verses 1 and 2, Paul begins this address with a defense of his apostleship, since everything else hinges on that issue. It is his apostleship appointed by Christ, and not his position, intelligence, training, or personality that is the basis of his authority to instruct and hold the Corinthians accountable according to God’s Word and will.
"Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord."
Paul begins his defense with a series of four rhetorical questions, each of which is expressed in a manner that clearly expects a positive answer.
"Am I not free?" Of course I am, as are you. Not only you, but I also have Christian liberty.
"Am I not an apostle?" Do you still need proof? Alright, then, consider this, "Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?"
One of the key requirements for being an apostle was to have personally seen and interacted with Jesus in His physical body. Though he was not a disciple of Christ during His earthly ministry, which many have attempted to use to discredit Paul. However, I'm sure that you will recall, that Paul had this experience when the resurrected Christ met him on the road to Damascus.
"Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection."
Acts 1:21-22
And in Acts 22:17-18, "After I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple complex, I went into a visionary state and saw Him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me!’"
In the next verse, "But I said, ‘Lord,..." we learn that it was in Jerusalem in Acts 22 that Paul was having a conversation with the Lord. The Lord appeared to him.
So, Paul says, "Are you not my work in the Lord?" The second criterion of apostleship is the establishment of new churches in previously not reached areas. Therefore, very existence of the Corinthian church, then, is testimony to Paul’s true apostleship.
What follows, he may and does address as one who – by their own witness and existence – has been sealed by Christ as an apostle with spiritual leadership over them. Further, if this is not the case and his apostleship and authority is not "in the Lord" then neither are they.
In verses 3 through 14, Paul’s seal of approval, given by Christ, authenticates his ministerial rights.
The following argument of his ministerial rights is not meant to be complete or exhaustive, but to refer to those that have been specifically questioned by at least some within the church at Corinth.
Part of the problem was that the Corinthian Christians were forming their expectations and judgments of their spiritual leaders and teachers in the same way as they had been taught to do for the philosophers and spiritual teachers so prevalent in their pagan city. e.g. Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dali Lama, Mother Teresa, etc.
In the Greco-Roman world, it was common and expected that philosophers and teachers would make their 'living' either by charging fees, patronage, the generous endowment from a wealthy benefactor, begging or working. Different groups argued either for or against these various options.
It seems that in Corinth, the expected form of compensation for a Christian leader had become that of patronage. Because Paul instead chose to support his ministry himself through his own trade work, some questioned his true apostleship, authority, wisdom and spiritual maturity.
In addition, they challenged these things on the basis that he traveled alone as an unmarried man which we understand to be he was likely a widower.
In other words, the attitude was: "If you don’t do these things in just the same way as these others that we have accepted and looked up to, then you must not really be as spiritual or authentic as they are."
Isn't it so amazing, after thousands of years, how some things never seem to change, even across vast spaces of time and cultural change? Some things remain the same.
So, in response to these accusations, Paul specifically addresses what are the true ministerial rights of an apostle of Christ.
To receive just compensation from the church.
To have a wife with him in the ministry.
Not to have to work outside of the ministry.
This is defined in verses 3 through 6.
Where Paul says, "My defense to those who examine me is this: Don’t we have the right to eat and drink? Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas? Or do Barnabas and I alone have no right to refrain from working?"
So, all of chapter 9 is an illustration from the life of Paul of how he had a liberty that he could have used, but he didn’t use it because somebody would have been offended. What is that liberty? What is that right? It is the right to support from the church. He had the right to expect the Corinthian church to pay him money for his ministry, to support him, to underwrite him, to provide for his needs. He had a perfect right for that, however, Paul chose not to exercise that right, rather, he chose to make tents all through his ministry and earn his own living because he felt, in his case, in the early birth of the Church, that to demand that right would have become a terrible offense to many people.
However, in verses 7 through 14, Paul defended his ministerial rights.
"Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing? For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned with oxen? Or isn’t He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more?
However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel."
But Paul was afraid that if he exercised those rights, that some people wouldn’t even become Christians. That they would see Christianity as some kind of a movement, fostered by this man, who did it to get people to give him money. In fact, he was so conscientious about how this would be perceived, that throughout his entire ministry, Paul never exercised this right! Therefore, he had not ever asked for support, rather, he worked with his hands, always earning his own way.
His point is, that if soldiers are compensated to go to war, if farmers from their crops, and shepherds from the herds they look after, why then shouldn’t a Christian minister be supported by the local church? And, I believe, that we’ll see how that all applies to the church today.
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, continues to demonstrate the absurdity of their judgments and assumptions with another series of rhetorical questions that illustrate the obvious hypocrisy and injustice of what they expect and even demand. Tell us about that liberty that he set aside. Paul gives, six reasons, in verses 1 to 14, why the minister is worthy of support. Why is it that a minister of God, a servant of God, in whatever ministry he has, is worthy of the support of the people.
And then he shows, in verses 15 to 18, why he didn’t choose to use that liberty.
"But I have used none of these rights, and I have not written this to make it happen that way for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel."
Deuteronomy 25:4, says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain."
Here we see, that even God’s law recognizes this for the rights of a work-animal! Even the Law ensures that the ox, who is used to pull the threshing-sledge that removes the kernels from the wheat stalks, must be allowed to graze from those kernels for its work.
Therefore, should not then the minister of Christ who 'sows' spiritual fruit for the benefit of others in return receive comparable material benefit from them? Scripture plainly and clearly argues here that patronage is not the biblical means of support for God’s ministers, but rather the most biblical model is for all of the church to contribute to their support!
Paul is further supporting and cements this truth through the example of Old Testament law concerning the provision of the temple priests and that, while specific circumstances have changed, this principle of providing for God’s representative ministers remains.
If there is any remaining question, Paul also refers to Jesus’ own teachings on this matter.
In Luke 10:7-8, "Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t be moving from house to house. When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you."
And in Matthew 10:9-11, Jesus taught, "Don’t take along gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts. Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick, for the worker is worthy of his food.
"When you enter any town or village, find out who is worthy, and stay there until you leave."
Yet, there is a liberty to sacrifice.
True Christian Liberty, Scripture here asserts through Paul, is that most modeled and given for us by Christ: SACRIFICE!
It is the freedom to choose which rights we shall exercise, how, when and for whom in order that we may best Love God Absolutely and Love Others Sacrificially!!! Therefore, having strongly defended his apostleship, authority and ministerial rights, Paul then goes on to explain how and why he has nevertheless voluntarily given up, why he has sacrificed, these God given rights, for the sake of God and those whom He loves.
In no way and at no time do they cease to be his ministerial rights or the expected obligation of the church. Rather, Paul chooses, in fact, he even insists, that in the present environment and circumstances he would best live out his absolute love for God and sacrificial love for others by giving up these particular rights.
So, to paraphrase Paul’s point: "My call and charge from Christ is to preach the gospel freely and to as many as I possibly can. Because He has placed this charge on me, His servant, I am obligated to carry it out regardless of whether or not others honor or support it. Therefore, if they do not understand, offer, agree or properly provide according to their charge, I will yet do whatever is necessary to carry out my charge. And, in doing so, nobody can accuse me of fulfilling my charge either from a motivation of money NOR for the sake of pleasing my benefactors or supporters. My boast is solely in the Lord Jesus! His gospel is free, therefore, I give it freely."
Beloved, this passage of Scripture needs to be understood in its continuity as one whole thought.
The first description is how it should be. However, even when that is not honored so, the appointed minister of Christ must not allow that in any way, to hinder his ministry of the gospel!
How does this apply to our day?
Even though an apostle is not the same as a pastor, the principles that Scripture here addresses are relevant for both! Which means that there is biblical support, if not even mandate, for justly paid pastors in our churches.
What I find is interesting, Paul is saying that the church has the responsibility to support its leaders, its pastors, its evangelists, its missionaries. And I also believe that.
It also means that pastors should not let the hang-ups and deficiencies of others ever hinder the fulfilling of the call and charge the Lord Jesus has given them – even if that means sacrificing one’s ’rights’ for His glory!
I personally, have never allowed compensation to become an issue in my role as a pastor. I have always believed, taught others and lived out that if one is called one goes and fulfills the call. Whether or not others share their part in that is between them and the Lord. In fact, I didn’t even know what my compensation would be here until after I had already moved and started working.
Similarly, contrary to popular and suggested practice, I have made a point not to charge for counseling, marriage ceremonies, so as not to inhibit any that may thusly receive the gospel.
For missionaries, while the specifics and logistics are necessarily different, however, the same principles also apply to missionaries. It is both a shame and a boasting that many missionaries today, including many that I support, receive significantly less than 100% of their designated support and yet frequently continue to minister in their fields without hesitation or bitterness. I believe, that it is a shame that God’s people have not been consistently and faithful in supporting them properly. Yet, it is a boasting that they have the Christian character and commitment to do everything they can to not let this hinder their mission from God! And, sometimes, even that is not enough. Praise be for those who uphold that commitment!
In Closing....
I would like to make clear, that it is not my intention here nor my want or desire, to make the Gospel chargeable to the world, however, according to Scripture, the church, meaning those who benefit from it, do have the responsibility of supporting the pastor, and the man of God does have the right to ask the church for their support.
And as a footnote. Please, understand, that I am not asking anyone for money. However, I’m merely stating the principle that the man of God has the right to be supported by the church in which he ministers. And as such, it is the responsibility of the church to do. If God requires that an ox spending his strength serving man should get his reward, how much more a man who spends his strength serving God?
What I find to be deeply disturbing, the truly sad thing, just the heartbreaking thing is that so many abuse this. There are these charlatans, that these religious phonies, and there are people in the ministry for money. Believe me there are. And there will always be abuse of this thing, and I think that the abuse of it is what tends to make us very restrictive in how we really operate, and we have to find a balance.
That said, in verse 10 Paul says, "... Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop."
Now, as for lay people, meaning those Christians who are not appointed to a specific vocational service, the larger principles also apply. First, the willingness and obedience to provide for God’s called ones. And secondly, the willingness and obedience to also be willing to give up their 'rights' for the sake of the gospel.
I recall a conversation with a young Christian who said, "You know, I really resent that. I just don’t like to be told that I can’t drink or dance at the club just because it might offend someone else’s conscience. That sounds to me like legalism!" While, I can identify with that. I don’t believe any believer, likes to be told what they can and cannot do, just because it might offend someone else. However, the Bible calls that rebellious part of us "the flesh." It’s the enemy within each and every one of us that seeks to destroy our effectiveness for God. If we want God to use us to reach others, we need to love Him enough to deny certain desires of the flesh and limit our liberty!
It is my belief, that the greatest "right" we have, is the right to give up our rights in order that we may so love God, and His people, absolutely, fully, completely and sacrificially.
So, I leave you with thought, "What 'rights' do you at this time need to give up for the sake of His glory? "What 'rights' of others does the Lord want you to better honor & respect?
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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