Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Changing Lives for God (1 Cor. 9:15-18)

But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
(1 Corinthians 9:15-18, NASB)

Yesterday, we looked at how we who are not called to full time ministry can support those who are. However, in today’s verses, Paul reminds those who are in full time ministry to not expect a monetary reward. Their reward is knowing that God is using them to reach the unsaved or equip the saints.

They should preach or teach or share the gospel because they just can’t do anything else. It’s a compulsion, or as Webster’s Dictionary says, “an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act.” Serving God is life and breath to them.

However, full time ministers and missionaries do need to eat and drink, and they need roofs over their heads. So while they should have no expectations of monetary rewards, we are expected to support them financially.

It’s a wonderful symbiosis: They can do what God calls them to do, and we can support their calling.

And the most important result: Lives are changed for God.

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