The Cost of Preaching Without Compromise

[David]

1 Corinthians 9: 1–18, continues with
Paul’s defense of his ministry. He sets forth a personal example of setting aside even his rightful privileges so that nothing would stand in the way of the gospel message. It is an example that asks a searching question of every believer: How far are you willing to go, to give up, so that someone else can hear about Jesus?

Paul begins by throwing down the gauntlet to his critics: “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1 KJV). Paul’s apostleship had been granted to him by the risen Christ Himself; it was not self-proclaimed (Acts 9:3–6). The Corinthians were the living testimony of that apostleship; they were “the seal” of his having been an apostle (v. 2). He had proved himself worthy of his commission by bringing them to faith in Christ, yet even with all this, Paul would not attempt to claim special privileges by reason of his apostleship.

Verses 3–14 of 1 Corinthians 9 serve as an exposition on Paul’s statement in verse 3, “Have I not liberty by Christ to do all things?” He is simply stating his right to material support by reason of his work. Paul uses common examples of life in his day. Soldiers are supported by the government, farmers eat the fruit of their crop, and shepherds drink the milk of their flock. Scripture supported this as well. Paul quotes the Law “Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn” (Deuteronomy 25: 4, quoted in 1 Corinthians 9:9) and Jesus’ words “The labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). The point is that those who preach the word have the right to be supported by the word.

The surprising thing in this passage is that Paul voluntarily renounces that right. Paul says in verses 12 and 15 that he does not use this right, for “I would lose all things” rather than let anything impede the preaching of the gospel of Christ. He did not want people to think he was in the ministry for the money. The truth of the gospel was more important to Paul than his own comfort or convenience. It was “that gospel by the which I am ministered unto, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for the gospel” (v. 17). To Paul, ministry was not a job or hobby, but his very reason for living. God had called him and commissioned him, and nothing in this world would keep him from the work (Jeremiah 20:9).

It is this reality that cuts deep into our current context. The reality is there are preachers and teachers in our day who have made ministry into a business, a career, rather than a calling. Paul’s own words in 2 Corinthians 2: 17 spoke of “many, which corrupt the word of God” by treating the truth as a commodity to be sold. You see it in the way sermons are often focused more on money and motivation rather than sin, repentance, and the cross. You see it in prosperity preachers, celebrity pastors, and brand-driven churches who are more interested in platform and profit than pointing people to Jesus. Scripture is not against supporting your pastor or church financially, it is against preachers and teachers whose hearts are first in the ministry for financial gain rather than the flock. Jesus called these men hirelings and warned that they “are not the shepherds of the sheep: therefore the sheep do not belong to them” (John 10:12–13).

The antidote to this is Paul’s example. His life, his example says, “If ever my support, my comfort, my rights ever become a stumbling block, I will gladly, gladly, gladly, set them aside for the sake of the gospel.” That should be the heart and spirit of every true minister. The willingness to forgo rights and comforts, so that nothing will distract from or detract from the message of salvation in Christ.

The challenge of this passage for today’s believer is simple and it is costly. What rights are you willing to lay down so that nothing stands in the way of the gospel? It may be your time, your resources, your comfort, or your personal preferences. Paul was willing to go hungry, work a trade, and be misunderstood so that no one could ever say he was in ministry for the money. How much more should we, in this day when cynicism is rife, be willing to lay down anything that could get in the way of a clear witness of Christ to others?

As we look forward to the passage for tomorrow, we see that Paul will continue this train of thought as he will explain how he accommodates himself to all men without compromising the truth. If the passage for today teaches us that love lays down rights, the passage for tomorrow will show us that love also stretches itself to meet people where they are for the sake of bringing them to Christ.

Takeaway: The gospel is worth more than your comfort, your convenience, and even your rights. Lay them down and watch what God will do.

 

[David]

When the Pulpit Becomes a Paycheck

God’s word makes it clear that the work of the ministry is a sacred calling, not a business. “A hireling,” Jesus said, “does not care for the sheep, but a wolf snatches them away. He does this because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep” (John 10:12–13). Too many pulpits are now filled by men who are more concerned with profit than with the truth. The success of their ministry is measured by the size of their offering and the upgrades in their lifestyle, not by their fidelity to God’s Word.

The apostle Paul was clear in his rejection of such men: “We are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word” (2 Corinthians 2:17). Peddle is a military word that means to market for personal advantage. These preachers make a product out of the gospel. They manipulate the emotions of people to wring donations from them, promise blessings in return for money, and lead a life of luxury while their flocks live in poverty. Peter said that false teachers “in their greed… will exploit you with false words” (2 Peter 2:3).

To be sure, faithful ministers should be supported. The Scripture says that “the elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17–18). This is the right of those who labor in the gospel. But there is a difference between receiving support and pursuing the ministry as a way to get rich. A true servant will preach the truth whether or not he is supported, he will endure hardship for the sake of Christ, and he will care more about the salvation of souls than about his own comfort.

Ministers who are in it for the money take the glory of Christ and exchange it for the cheap temporary satisfaction of wealth. They may win a large following, but they will lose the blessing of God. And one day they will give account to the Chief Shepherd for every word and every dollar that has been entrusted to them in false pretenses. The gospel is priceless, and it must never be for sale.

The gospel is too important to be twisted for personal gain. If you’ve seen how greed has crept into pulpits and you want to understand what God’s Word really says about it, don’t wait. Join us here and get the truth straight from Scripture: Know the Bible