If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:12

At first glance, 1 Corinthians 9 seems to change the subject dramatically. In chapter 8, Paul was dealing with the issue of Christians eating meat that had been offered to idols. He advised those with “strong consciences,” who knew that idols weren’t real and who could eat meat without worshiping pagan gods, to choose not to use their freedom. Rather, they were to abstain in order not to cause their weaker brothers and sisters to stumble. But then, all of a sudden, Paul starts talking about his rights as an apostle. Why this unexpected change in direction?

As we examine the argument of 1 Corinthians 9 closely, reading in the context of chapter 8, we realize that Paul is offering himself as an example of giving up one’s rights for some greater cause. As an apostle, Paul had the moral right to receive support from those he had led to Christ. He could have insisted that the Corinthians put him up when he was in town and even contribute to his ministry when he was away. In fact, other preachers received this sort of support from the Corinthians.

But Paul did not avail himself of his right. Why? He explains: “But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ” (9:12). Paul sensed that if he received financial support from the Corinthians, his motives may have been questioned. It was common in the Greco-Roman world for philosophers and preachers to build up an audience in order to line their pockets from their followers. (Not unlike today, actually!) But Paul wanted to be sure that those to whom he preached understood that he was not telling them about Christ in order to gain money or status. Paul’s compensation was his joy in being able to preach the Gospel without charge (9:18).

There are times in life when we have certain rights but need to set aside those rights for some greater purpose. I think of my work, in which I have authority over those I supervise. I have the right to give them orders, to tell them what to do. And, on rare occasions, I need to exercise this right. But rather than exercising this right, I choose rather to work collegially with my team, listening to them, valuing them, and empowering them to act with wisdom and confidence. At times, this is a less efficient model of leadership. But over time, it strengthens our team, enabling all of us to be more effective in our work.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you ever chosen not to use one of your rights for the sake of some greater purpose? When? What happened? As you think about your life and relationships, are there certain rights that you should choose not to use in order to accomplish a higher goal?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for the example of Paul, who chose not to use his apostolic rights so that he might be an effective evangelist.

We live in such a rights-based world today, where demanding our rights is the rule. It’s easy for us to get sucked into this way of relating, to seek our own good rather than the good of others. So help us, Lord, to follow the example of Paul when it is appropriate. Give us wisdom as workers and managers, as leaders in church and community, as parents and teachers, and in all of our relationships, so that we might know when it's right not to claim our rights.

Finally, I thank you, Lord Jesus, because you did not claim your rights as God, but instead you chose to humble yourself and become human, even dying on the cross, so that we might be saved and set free. May I imitate you, dear Lord, in all that I do. Amen.