1 Corinthians 9: 15 - 27

 1 Corinthians 9: 15 - 27

In the first half of this chapter, Paul explains why he might be entitled to compensation for his ministry as his profession. In the second half, he explains why he personally did not take a salary. The circumstances of the ministry, not the sermon, teaching, credentials, or proclamation, ought to determine whether a minister is to be paid or self-employed. Paid positions, bi-vocational or self-supporting, can be legitimate options. Paul's passion for preaching the gospel was his chief motivation, not the congregation or salary that the church might offer. Paul would rather die than have his passion for preaching compromised. The effort, the energy, the fire for preaching that you would get from Paul would be the same if he were paid a six-figure salary or made his living in secular labor. Too many times in our lives we don't work on ministry with that same kind of passion. We do just enough to get by. We see this when leaders, who rather than doing the hard work of preparing a sermon or teaching, just “mail it in.” Rather than presenting quality teaching, they offer a short devotion and spend most of their time in chitchat.

Paul uses the metaphor of the games to explain how we ought to work in our ministry or calling. We often think of this metaphor in terms of the reward. Rather, we need to think of it in terms of the training involved. Former football coach Nick Saban said, “Don't practice till you can do it right; practice till you can't do it wrong.” The one common denominator we find in all highly successful teams, programs, athletes, and Christians is a work ethic and discipline of the highest order. In regard to salvation, we are saved only by grace, not by works or efforts. In terms of our discipleship and growing in the Lord, we only progress when we are under the watchful ‘coaching’ of the Holy Spirit and do the hard work of self-discipline. It is worth noting that for Paul the preaching of the Gospel is clearly linked to self-discipline, which is described in the most stringent terms. Not everyone is called to be an evangelist, but whatever we are called to do, we need to apply great effort and genuine discipline.

One final point: Paul says he “becomes all things to all men.” This passage is sometimes ignored, as when churches expect lost people to learn and adopt church culture before they can understand the gospel. It is sometimes used as an excuse for some tragic things, as when churches do foolish or ungodly things to try to fit into the culture. Both extremes are equally unhelpful. A better way of thinking about this approach is to see that Paul wanted to be unnoticed personally so that his hearers would have a clear view of Christ.

“Lord, may we never act as a mercenary but always in passion for the Kingdom. AMEN”