1 CORINTHIANS 9
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. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
–1 Corinthians 9:15-20
1 CORINTHIANS 9 GROUND FOR BOASTING
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Do not boast of anything you accomplish on your own
As a servant of Christ, boast only of bringing his kingdom to come
If you expect to be paid for doing what is expected of you
What else are you going to look forward to when you face Jesus?
Paul continues to assert letting go of his right to be compensated for his apostleship. He was preaching the gospel for free because he knows the reward awaiting him when he faces Jesus in his second coming. He took pride in doing this because in those days, there were a lot of religious entrepreneurs who would preach any message to get money. Paul was glad that he could be free from being identified with these crooks. His reward was that he was not reliant on the support of anyone. His conscience is clear that he is doing what was expected of him by God without any compensatory expectation from anyone.
How many Christians have the same viewpoint as Paul’s regarding foregoing his wage? He was doing his kingdom work for the sake of truth and to bring the gospel to as many people as possible without any obstacles for truth to be preached. His ground for boasting is that his apostleship was unadulterated and not motivated by self-seeking gains.
REFLECTION
· Share how Paul’s purity of service is such a novelty in our world today?
