1 Corinthians 9:1-14

Six reasons why a minister has the right to receive financial support.

Paul is having many accusations thrown at him by the false prophets in Corinth. It seems that some of them where implying that the only reason he was there was to take money from them. Paul firstly proves that a minister has the right to be supported financially by those that he ministers too. And then he show that he does not take money from the people at Corinth but rather will do secular work to support himself rather then offend the brethren there.

(v4) The need to eat and drink.
(v5) The right to be married. Once married you have dependants that you need to provide for. Education, health, safety etc.
(v7) Those who work hard deserve to be rewarded for their work (refer to 2Tim 2:6).
(v9-11) The Law of Moses (Deut 25:4) says that a worker must be allowed to enjoy the fruit of his own labour. Just like a farmer a minister should be able to earn their living from their labour. Refer to 1Tim. 5:17.
(v13) In the O.T. priests were supported by the tithes of crops and animals, as well as financial gifts.
(v14) God has commanded that those who preach the gospel should be allowed to make a living from it.

Questions

How do you see a pastor or minister getting financial support for his work?

Who would you think is responsible for supporting a pastor of a church?

1 Corinthians 9:15-18

V15 : Paul did not write about the right of pastors to receive financial support to convince the Corinthians to start paying him. Yet the six reasons given are still valid.

Refer to verse 12. False teachers being paid for their ministry, Paul was practising what he preached in chapter 8. He would rather sacrifice his salary then offend any in the church that might think that he was after financial gain.

The term “boast” has nothing to do with pride but rather rejoicing in what one does. Paul rejoiced in serving the Lord.

V16 : Paul is not taking credit for the message of the gospel or his ability to present it to others. He knows that the gospel is God’s message to man and that he has been set apart for service by God. Refer to Acts 9, Gal 1:15. Paul is compelled to preach the gospel because of his calling. Remember when a person is called by God for a job he is also equipped for the job.

V17 : Paul is not saying that he is not willing to obey God’s will for him but that he had nothing to do with his calling and therefore his calling to minister the gospel is not a reward for something he did but rather a stewardship that he received. A stewardship is a valuable responsibility or duty to be carefully managed.

V18 : Paul’s reward in his ministry is fulfilling his calling and doing it, in his case, without receiving financial support so as not to offend a weaker brother.

Points to remember:

Paul has taught us in chapter 9:

Ø Six good reasons why a minister of God’s word has the right to be paid a salary for doing his work.

Ø A minister of God’s word is called into the ministry because of who God is and not who the man is. Therefore there should be no pride in his work but humble adoration for what God is doing in the man.

Ø Exercising Christian liberty is for all people in all situations.

Questions