I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22 (NIV)
Read: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
Consider: In the early part of 1 Corinthians 9 Paul addresses an issue that was occurring in the church; some preachers were receiving financial support, while others were having to work to support themselves. Is Paul only aggrieved because he and Barnabas were expected to fund themselves? No, his primary concern is that those who preach the gospel should be seen as working for the Lord and therefore be worthy of support from the church. He uses several things to illustrate his point. From general society he speaks of the soldier, vineyard owner and the shepherd as all being able to benefit from the work they do (9:7). Paul then moves on to use two things from the Old Testament to further illustrate his point; not muzzling an ox (9:9 ) and the temple priests sharing in the food brought to the temple (9:13). He then says: In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). Notice the words ‘their living’. This is not their ‘wealth’ as some unscrupulous people in the church today have taken it to mean. Pastors and ministers should be paid adequately so that they can concentrate their energies on sharing the gospel, not having to worry about how to make ends meet. This is a challenge to all churches today.
Paul knew the necessity to be able to identify with people so that he could share the gospel with them. In his letter he speaks of being free and how he expresses his freedom in Christ in ways that enables him to share the good news with everyone. He says: Though I am free and belong to no-one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
This should challenge us to think about how we share the gospel with others. Are we willing to ‘… become all things to all people …’? How can you hope to share the gospel with other religions if you don’t know the basics of their belief? How can you get through to young people if you don’t understand their culture? Remember that this means understanding where others are coming from, not adopting their beliefs or standards. Our motivation should be the same as Paul’s – ‘… so that by all possible means I might save some’.
Pray: Father, show us how to identify with other sections of society so that we can share the gospel intelligently. Give us a desire to become all things to all people, so that some might be saved. Amen
Every blessing
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