Introduction
Now that everyone is settled in, let me tell you the real title of today’s sermon: Why the Preacher is Worth Every Penny He Gets! I’ve complained so much about the topics I’ve had to deal with in Corinthians; you may have wondered why I kept plugging along. It was to get to this passage! And what timing! Next week is the congregational meeting to act on the church budget. Truly the Lord works in mysterious ways!
Text
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
No doubt you picked up the passionate tone of this passage. Indeed, it is somewhat uncomfortable to read, like entering a room in which a personal heated argument is taking place. You would prefer not being included in the conversation.
What sets off this emotional outburst of Paul? In the previous chapter, he again corrects his Corinth children. This particular issue has to do with the freedom of a Christian. He tells them not to abuse their freedom so that they end up destroying the faith of their brothers and sisters. He closes by making a personal statement: if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
That sentence may have triggered in his mind the accusations being made against him. I’ve mentioned before the tensions between Paul and the Corinth Church which he had fathered. The Corinth believers think they have grown up spiritually, and they are bucking against their spiritual father who criticizes them for their freedom, treating them as though they are but spiritual babes. It is evident to them that he has lost touch with the spiritual movement that is taking place.
And, as will happen when frictions arise, they make charges. Who gives you the right, Paul, to tell us what to do? You are not one of the original apostles. None of them appointed you to be an apostle. He most likely has a letter from the Corinthians in front of him with some unpleasant remarks questioning his apostolic credentials. So he gets started.
Am I not free? Do you think you possess a liberty I do not have? And while we are at it, let’s just lay our cards on the table. Do you think I am not an apostle? Peter, John, and the others – they saw Jesus. So have I. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, who also questioned his credentials: For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12).
Evidently this was an important issue. When the original eleven apostles chose a replacement for Judas, their criterion was the man had to have been with Jesus. Here comes Paul who proclaims himself an apostle, and yet had not known Jesus when on earth. Maybe he is a preacher, but can he claim to have the same authority that the others have? The Corinthians, no doubt, accepted that authority in their early years, but now – especially in light of Paul’s obstinacy – they are re-evaluating who he is.
It especially irks Paul that this particular church is questioning him. As he says, Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. You are the very evidence of my calling.
The Lord had commissioned Paul specifically to take the gospel to the Gentiles. The Corinth Church should be exhibit number one as a testimony to his fulfilling that call. Indeed, while in Corinth he had received a vision from the Lord to remain in the city because, as the Lord said to him, I have many in this city who are my people (Acts 18:10).
Paul continues: 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. Some in the church are acting as though they are his judges. Okay, let’s pretend I am on trial. Here is my defense.
4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
“We” refers to Paul and his assistants such as Timothy and Silas. He will use “we” and “I” interchangeably, speaking of his ministry which is shared with these companions. “Brothers of the Lord” likely refers to Jesus’ brothers such as James who became leader of the Jerusalem council and will be mentioned in chapter 15. Cephas is the Greek name for Peter.
Paul knows that he does not carry out his ministry like the other apostles. Many are married and travel with their wives. He has remained single. Most are fully supported by donors and patrons. He supplements his support with a trade, that of tentmaking. Indeed, it is while at Corinth that we learn of Paul’s trade. Acts 18:1-5 speaks of Paul as a professional tentmaker, and that he made tents in Corinth while waiting for the arrival of Silas and Timothy. Evidently, he used the income to support his ministry in that city and did not accept the benevolence of his converts.
His reasoning, as he states in verse 12, was to avoid placing obstacles to their reception of the gospel. Paul did want to give the impression that he was using his calling as a means to live off of others. That is one reason he remained single, so as not to be concerned about supporting a wife and children.
But his critics have turned his good intentions against him. If Paul is a real apostle, what is he doing making tents? Isn’t he to be devoted to preaching the gospel? And really, should a tentmaker – a mere tradesman – be in authority over a church? So Paul responds with his own set of questions, which, one demonstrates the sacrifices he has made, and, two, sets up the reason why he has made them.
The next three questions make clear that he knows his rights to lay claim to the support of the Corinth Church . First, he appeals to common experience. 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk. The simple point is that every laborer deserves his pay in fitting with his work. So then should the person whose labor is to teach, in Paul’s case, to teach the gospel.
Because Paul is a Bible-believing preacher, he also appeals to Scripture. 8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
No doubt God does care for oxen, just as he cares for sparrows. Paul’s point is that we are to apply the principle to humans as well. The oxen were not muzzled so that they might eat some of the grain that was being harvested with their labor. In the same manner, those who are laboring for a spiritual harvest should also be given the means to support themselves. Thus, Paul says, 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?
That last sentence reiterates Paul’s claim on the Corinthians, and also enlightens the situation. They are supporting other ministers (perhaps some of the critics?). They most likely supported Apollo while he was with them. “Yes, but he is a real apostle. You should hear him preach.” Paul is their father, for goodness sake! Surely, they should understand that.
Even so, his lecture is not an attempt to raise support. Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Paul’s reason to refuse his right was to enhance communicating the gospel. Money and in-kind support can present obstacles. Evangelists and ministers are often accused of being in the business for money. I remember watching Billy Graham preach on TV; someone walked through the room, saw him preaching, and immediately said, “Give me your money.” That was his take on evangelists. Fair or not, the perception is real, and Paul wanted to avoid the charge. Another obstacle is that receiving support gives the impression that converts are paying for favor with God. Many people give to churches and to evangelists, thinking that they are doing good works that will earn them points with God. Others, particularly those who are able to give a lot, fall into pride, crediting themselves with the blessing of the ministry. Still others, think that their support gives them authority to have a say about the ministry, that the minister is obligated to them. The last reason may be at the heart of Paul’s concern.
Thinking back to Abraham, there is a story of how he rescued his nephew Lot from raiders who also had stolen people and possessions from the king of Sodom. Upon return, the king offered for Abraham to “take the goods for yourself.” Abraham refused, saying, “lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” One who gives much has the temptation to become resentful or proud, thinking that it was his doing which made the other person successful.
Paul continues with his argument for why ministers of the gospel are deserving of support. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
He again refers to the Scriptures which teach that the priests and temple servants are to receive a portion of the food offerings. This is one means by which they are able to live. The same principle applies to the ministers of the gospel.
Lessons
What are we to learn? Pay up! I had our bookkeeper print out how each of you are giving and… Just kidding! Here are lessons and principles to learn.
One, the conflict between the Corinth Church and Paul illustrates the sensitive nature of giving and handling money for the gospel ministry. Giving gets complicated easily, because money has power: the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils (1 Timothy 6:10). It trips up those who give it, those who handle it, and those who receive it. It can taint how ministry and ministers are perceived regardless of their actual integrity. It easily tempts resentment and jealousy, and easily causes misunderstanding. It stirs up pride and arouses suspicion of motives. It creates occasion for arguments and competition for how it should be used. It seduces members to trust in themselves when there is plenty and shakes their faith when there is little. And as Paul’s situation demonstrated, even declining it can be on occasion for dissent.
It is important to understand this basic fact. We often act naïve about money. What’s the problem with my wanting to give to ______? Why can’t I do what I want with my money? Understand the subtle dynamics when you must deal money matters. Be on your guard. Be wise in your handling of it, in the very way that you speak about it. It is to be handled with care. In light of this, I urge you to pick up a copy of the church’s policy on giving in the narthex.
Two, this situation shows why regular giving along the tithing principle is the best means of contributing to the ministry. Take a portion of each paycheck or receipt and give it consistently. Don’t be dependent on a good sales pitch. Give according to your means. Scripture sets a standard of 10%. That is not a law, but it is a good goal. Regular consistent giving according to one’s means helps curb pride and reduces the misconception that one will earn special favors from God. It keeps you from having to make judgment calls about what cause deserves more support. For further teaching, I encourage you to take a copy of “Tithing: Its Origin and Purpose” in the narthex.
Three, we should consider the great value of the gospel and what we are giving to it beyond money. I mentioned how great this passage is for a preacher to teach about giving to his ministry. Actually, I would never choose Paul to be my advocate. After all, the context of his argument is to explain why he refuses to be paid! He refuses because he has one goal in mind – to open the door for the gospel. I would be concerned at Paul examining me about my commitment to the gospel, at least in light of his own standards.
Nothing, nothing mattered more to Paul than the gospel. Nothing! This is a man who three times beaten with rods, once stoned and left for dead, three times shipwrecked, once spending 24 hours adrift at sea, imprisoned many times. The thirty-nine lashes that Jesus received – Paul received the same five times! Why did he go through such sacrifice? Let him tell:
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:12-17).
When you understand the mercy that you have received in the gospel, then nothing is more precious to you. Nothing. Do you know it? If you do, right now your heart is stirred with gratitude and love for God. I don’t have to be an eloquent preacher to stir your heart. The gospel is enough. If you don’t know this mercy… then I urge you as one who has grasped it, make it your business above all things to know it. There is nothing, nothing more important in life, no greater gain, no greater joy than to possess God’s mercy found in Jesus Christ.
