Wednesday, October 24, 2007
1 Corinthians 9:17-19
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. Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
Here Paul contrasts the compulsion he has from God to preach the Gospel, with the lack of obligation to the people he ministers to since he has received no reward from them.
PRINCIPLE: Ministry is given by God, and bound to him out of stewardship, not bound to people out of responsibility or obligation.
PRAYER: Lord, give me this kind of compulsion to be faithful to you and freedom from trying to please peoples' expectations of me.
