I Corinthians 9:18
“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.”
Paul talked about his right to take a fee as a workman in the gospel. There are pastors and administrators at churches that take a fee. That’s awesome. Christianity is established and churches have staffs and no one has a problem with that. However, this is the beginning of the church. Paul is breaking into new territory. No one has heard of a church or the gospel. He doesn’t want to create any greedy association with the gospel message.
We are to make sacrifices for the sake of the gospel. This is for loves sake. We love those individuals we are witnessing to. Paul did. For him he and his crew were tent makers. They had to put time in to that to make a living. All for the purpose of being sensitive. Some of those he was witnessing to wouldn’t misunderstand his motive.
Paul speaks of other areas where he limits his rights for others. He speaks of this in I Corinthians 8:13, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.” What this was about was people’s shopping habits when it came to buying meat. Many towns had temples to their idols. They would sacrifice animals to those idols. Once done they would sell the meat at a discount. Some new believers had a problem with this as they used to partake of this before becoming a christian. Now that they are serving Christ, they see the command not to worship idols. They used to do that in conjunction with eating the meal. They now feel they are dabbling into idolatry bey eating meat offered to idols. Other believers have no issue with this. They are excited to have the meal. However, if they invite the brother sensitive in conscience that one may feel guilty by eating the meal. This is the context in which Paul says verse 13.
This can also apply to alcohol. Those that have given this up may be offended as they see us casually drinking. They may also order a drink. They wreck their sobriety vow. They might lapse back into their days of over drinking and addiction. Paul wouldn’t order the drink if it would stumble a brother. That’s love.
Paul refers to this limiting his rights in I Corinthians 10:23,24, “All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up. No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of his neighbor.” This is love.
Some believers aren’t accustomed to reflecting on their freedoms and limiting them based on whose with them or whose in the room. Paul addresses those in Philippians 3:15, “All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.” If we are open God will instruct and mature us. He molds and makes our mindsets. We become sensitive to others around us.
Lord, thank You for causing us to grow in maturity. In Your time You make all things beautiful. Help us to regulate our freedoms and show love to our brothers or to keep from compromising His message.