“Reward?”
“Reward?”
Blessings folk!
We saw previously that Paul said…
1 Co 9:14
In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
Wanna guess the next word?
“But…”
Read carefully and discern Paul’s heart.
1 Co 9:15-18
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.
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!
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.
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.
Paul was reminding them that he had not demanded any rights of support from them.
He tells them that he is not seeking any now.
Paul’s “grounded” calling was the necessity to preach the gospel.
The good news.
What was his reward?
Not the financial provision procured from others.
His reward was the freedom to preach the gospel free of charge.
To owe no man obligation nor materiel.
Paul did not want to be “limited” in his ability to present the gospel.
Perhaps. “To owe no man anything”…
Rom 13:8
Owe no man anything, save to love one another:
for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.