QT 3/20/2025 1 Cor 9:1-7, Spending our life for what lasts

1 Corinthians 9:1–7 (ESV) —

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

 

NOTE: Paul had every right to make demands of his children for his living expenses. He had done so much and sacrificed so much for their salvation. They were the seal of his apostleship, the proof of God's calling in his life. He is not, at this point, trying to seek compensation or get paid back. But they do owe him something and that something is to listen to and take his wisdom to heart. A lot of people (certain leaders) will take advantage of the flock, but those who truly love and care for the flock, will sacrifice everything for the flock. These are the people we should truly look up to and listen. We have the advantage today of having Paul's writings to the churches. Paul never got rich, in fact, he suffered greatly. At the end of his life, he owned a cloak and a few books (parchments and scrolls). He did not have a bank account, and certainly not much money. But in one sense, he was the most blessed man on the earth, he knew Jesus and he saw others come to know Jesus like he did. There is no greater joy than those two things. He wasn't married, but he had many spiritual children and grandchildren. His life was a life well spent.

 

PONDER:

1. What do I spend my life on?
2. Will what I spend my life on, last?

 

PRAYER: Father, Paul is such a great example of godliness, love, and sacrifice. Paul had an eternal perspective in life. He was not caught up in grandeur, he was caught up in love for Jesus. Father, grow my own love for you.