QT 3/21/2025 1 Cor 9:8-17, Be thankful for you spiritual guides

1 Corinthians 9:8–17 (ESV) —

8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

 

NOTE: In some ways, I wonder if Paul's humble service actually created a little of the separation between the church and his authority. It seems like financial support might have reminded the church of Paul's authority, but after a while, "out-of-sight, out-of-mind," allowed them to forget what Paul had done for them. They probably started to see their Christian conversion, change, and walk as coming as a result of their own human efforts and teaching. I think that this is something that can happen to each of us. We forget how we got to where we are today. There were spiritual men and women who brought us to Christ and taught us. And God himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit has brought about a new creature. We would do well to remember those who had an impact on our Christian life and whom God used to bring about our reversal, our salvation. For myself men, like Bill M., Bill C., Larry L., and so many others, helped me in the process of sanctification.

 

PONDER:

1. Who are the people who challenged you in your walk with God?
2. Have you told them and God how much you appreciate them?

 

PRAYER: Thank you for bringing me to salvation and placing godly men around me who could shape and change me. I pray that I would be the same person to those you place around me to help.