1 Corinthians 9:7-11
Ps Paul Cheng
Dear Bethelites,
Speaking on this theme, are you willing to give up your rights? Paul used himself as an example. As an apostle, he had the right to get married just like the other apostles, and be supported by the church, yet he was willing to give up those rights for the sake of the gospel work. Next, he moved on to give the example of everyday life.
II. The example of everyday life
1 Corinthians 9:7a, Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges [at his own expense]? Soldiers do not fight during the day and then work at a civilian job at night in order to support himself. Can you imagine yourself joining the army, giving your life to serve your country, and then, they tell you, “Well, before you do that, you have to first pay for your uniform, weapon, rifle, ammunitions, and your transportation as well”? You would be saying, “What, I am fighting for Australia, representing my country to fight on the battlefield and defending my people, yet I need to pay for all these things.” That would be ridiculous, isn’t it true?
Verse 7b, …who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? This is not about one working in a vineyard, because there may be situations when you are employed to work in the vineyard but not allowed to eat the fruit. But rather one planting his own vineyard, and he works hard to till the soil, plant the seeds, water the plant, prune the tree, add fertilisers, and when he harvests the fruits, he is not allowed to eat his own fruits. Again, that is ridiculous!
Verse 7c, …or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? The same thing happens when one shepherds his own flock, he would not only be entitled to eat the meat, but even to drink the milk. The Corinthians were familiar with all these examples of everyday life, but Paul went on to give another more important example.
III. The example of the holy scriptures
1 Corinthians 9:8, Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? The Hebrew Old Testament is divided into the law, prophets and writings; and sometimes the word law is used to describe the Old Testament. In other words, doesn’t the Old Testament teach the same thing? Most certainly, and Paul quoted Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:9, For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? As the ox threshed out the corn, it would keep going around in circles; it would step on the grains and the kernels would fall out of the chaff. Then they would fan away the chaff or husk, and the kernels would remain. The owner was not allowed to muzzle the ox while it was working. Certainly, God cared for the welfare of the oxen.
Jesus Himself said, “God takes care of the fowls of the air… Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father (Matthew 10:29).” If God cared for the animals, what about His concerns for people? Here the emphasis is, if God wants the oxen to be fed while it is working, how much more would He want men to be paid for their work?
1 Corinthians 9:10, Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
Since oxen could not read, so obviously this command was not given for the people, for our sakes, so they would understand. It was for our sakes to teach us that just as it is cruel to muzzle the oxen while it is working, it is not right when to refrain from paying the one who labours for you. The oxen had ploughed the soil in preparation for the seed to be planted, and now it was threshing out the grain that had been harvested. In a spiritual sense, the minister of the gospel has ploughed the land, planted and nurtured the seed, and when there is a harvest, it is only right that he shares some of the fruits of the harvest.
1 Corinthians 9:11, If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
The word if is conditional. The idea is that if this condition is true, then the following will apply. If we have received spiritual blessings, then we should in turn share our material blessings. We should only support those who are doing the Lord’s work in sowing spiritual things. Not everyone deserves to be supported. Being wise in our giving is part of our stewardship, because one day, we have to give an account to God for the way we use our resources.
Based on this argument from scriptures, what Paul was saying is this, “I have legitimate rights, I am a minister of the gospel, based on what I have done for you, I have the right to be compensated for what I do.”
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
(To be continued in next pastoral chat)
1 CORINTHIANS 9Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 9:1-6
Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 9:7-11
Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?1 Corinthians 9:15-19