Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 9-11.
While Paul preached in Corinth, he received no financial support from the church there. He either worked to support himself or received “wages” from other churches for his work (Acts 18:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9). Yet in the first part of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul argued that he had “a right to refrain from working” as he preached the gospel among them (1 Corinthians 9:6). He pointed out the fact that it was God’s intention for preachers to be supported.
“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
Yet because of circumstances in Corinth, Paul chose not to take advantage of what should have been expected – support from those among whom he labored (1 Corinthians 9:15). But why would Paul forgo support? And without adequate support, why would he keep preaching? Notice what he told them:
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Paul’s first priority was that the gospel be preached. Yes, he had a right to make a living from the gospel. But that was not in his hands. That depended on the support of the brethren. If they could not or would not support him financially, allowing him to devote himself “completely to the word” (Acts 18:5), he had an obligation to continue preaching anyway.
Preachers today have a right to make a living from the gospel. But if an adequate level of support is not provided, they should continue preaching to the best of their abilities while they also work to support themselves (Acts 20:34; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10; 1 Timothy 5:8).
One is not a gospel preacher on the basis of his support, but his work. Preachers must focus on their work and devote themselves to the word to whatever extent their circumstances allow. The work should not be abandoned when support dries up. It may be more difficult and more limited. But the work must continue.
Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Corinthians 12-14
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
Good observations. I would only add that, as an apostle, Paul was directly charged by God with the task of gospel preaching (Acts 26:16). Preachers today are not “called” by some direct divine interposition. They simply see the need to tell others about Christ and do it. If other people (churches or individuals) deem them capable and worthy of financial support, then they may receive that support. James does distinguish public teachers from private ones (James 3:1). One who cannot control his tongue does not need to serve as a preacher. Being in the public’s eye puts him in the potentially dangerous position of being able to do great damage to others (ibid., context). Others “desire to be teachers of the law, but understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm” (1 Tim. 1:7). Such people have no business in pulpits.
True. Those who should be making their living from the gospel are those who are faithfully and capably preaching the word, not just anyone who decides they want to make a living from preaching.