1 Corinthians 9 (3)

Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.

Sing Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, LORD, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Read 1 Corinthians 9.1-14; meditate on verses 13, 14.

Preparation
1. To what did Paul compare himself here?

2. What did God command about those who minister His Word?

Meditation
The Law of God consists of three parts. The Ten Commandments are the heart and core, rather like the Constitution in our country. The civil law provides statutes, precepts, and rules to direct God’s people more pointedly in how to apply the Commandments in their daily lives. The religious laws helped the people practice love for God and their neighbors in the context of worship and ceremonial life.

Paul appealed to the civil law in verses 8-12. In verses 13 and 14 he appealed to the religious laws of Israel, insisting that they, too, encode valid principles to guide us in loving well. When someone brought an offering to God, part of that was reserved for the priests who conducted the sacrifice. Paul saw in this a principle of sharing with God’s servants to support his teaching that “those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (v. 14).

Preaching the Gospel is a way of making a living. In this world, living requires food, clothing, shelter, and other material goods and services. While we might wish all these to be free, in our materialist economy they are not. They must be bought and paid for with money earned by investing our energies in the time of our life in God-honoring labor. Those who benefit from that labor expect to pay for it, as we pay for what they provide us. And this should be true as well of those who benefit from the ministry of the Word.

The Lord has commanded that some should make their living by the ministry of the Word. He has also commanded that those who benefit from that ministry should support those who provide it. This is love at work within the community of faith.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
‘Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite
as long as you live in your land” (Deut. 12.19).

Paul wrote a letter to Titus, who had the unenviable assignment of putting in order the churches in Crete. This was the place concerning which one of their own prophets had written, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1.12).
So, you can see why Paul began the letter thus, “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 1.4). ‘Cause you’re gonna need it!

All God’s people need dedicated shepherds to care for their souls.
And those dedicated shepherds should be paid for their heart, their time, and their abilities.

Paul spells out the qualifications:
1. The man must be blameless.
2. He must be the husband of one wife.
3. He must have faithful children who are not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
4. He must be a blameless steward of God’s gifts.
5. He must not be self-willed.
6. He must not be quick-tempered.
7. He must not be a heavy drinker.
8. He must not be violent.
9. He must not be greedy for money.
10. He must be hospitable.
11. He must be a lover of what is good.
12. He must be sober-minded.
13. He must be just.
14. He must be holy.
15. He must be self-controlled.
16. He must hold fast the faithful Word of God, as taught.
17. He must be able to exhort his listeners through sound doctrine.
18. He must, in sound doctrine, be able to convict those who contradict the Word of God. (Titus 1.6-9)

When you find that man, be ever-so thankful for him, and for goodness’ sake, pay him!

For reflection
1. Do you think people sometimes take their ministers for granted? Explain. Do you pray for your pastor, that he might continue to grow in the qualifications for a shepherd?

2. In some people’s minds, ministers should receive the bare minimum salary for their work. Do you agree? Why or why not?

3. How is supporting those who minister the Word a way of loving God and our neighbors?

Again he makes use of a new comparison, to prove that he had not used the power that he had from the Lord. Nor does he any longer borrow examples from any other source, but shows that this has been appointed by the Lord ― that the Churches should provide for the support of their ministers. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9.13, 14

Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
Pray and give thanks for those who minister God’s Word to you. Pray that God will supply all their needs and use their work to glorify His Name.

Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield—ever to His Name be glory—
find in Him their help and shield: Ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the LORD! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious LORD—ever to Your Name be glory—
will attend us evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, LORD, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Grant us, Savior, great increase—ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today is in need of revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.