MONDAY, OCTOBER 15
1 Corinthians 9:13-18
Philippians 3:18-19

“… who mind earthly things.”

NO PAY, STILL PREACH!

While the priests and the Levites have the right to live of the things of the temple, they must take proper care never to abuse these rights to the detriment of God’s people. When they demand more pricey offerings, or when they are derelict in their duties, God’s people will suffer. We can see the tragic consequences of this in the history of Israel. The people were spiritually malnourished and grew to hate the Levitical worship. Israel plunged into moral declension and idolatry, and her spiritual witness for the LORD grew dim.

Similarly, preachers today who abuse their rights will do great harm to the church of God. In fact, the characteristic of hirelings is to demand that their stomachs be fed! Their principle is: “More pay more preach, less pay less preach, no pay no preach”! Thus Paul lamented in Philippians 3:18-19, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”

The Apostle Paul’s spirit was very different. For him, the call to preach the gospel was so strong that he called it a necessity. He was willing to forgo his right to physical things, so that he might achieve the real preacher’s reward to see the gospel preached freely and powerfully to the people. The love for Christ and His people dictated that Paul must surrender his rights for the sake of the gospel. Whether he was paid or not was inconsequential – the gospel must go forth!

The heart of a true preacher will thus say, “Woe unto me if I preach not the gospel! Pay or no pay, I will still preach!”

Dearly beloved, if the service to which you are called demands that you forsake your rights for the sake of the gospel, will you do it?

THOUGHT: I must be willing to suffer all things for Christ’s sake.
PRAYER: Father, wherever Thou sendeth me, I will go.