Reflections with Andy - 1 Corinthians 9: 1-14 – Honor God’s Gift
Paul talks today about how the church can use its resources. Every dollar the church has was given as an act of worship. We should honor that gift.
In today’s episode of Reflections with Andy, we begin exploring 1 Corinthians 9:1–14, where Paul defends his ministry and discusses the support of those who proclaim the gospel. Along the way, we consider what it means to honor the gifts God has entrusted to us. Whether it’s our finances, our abilities, or our opportunities, everything we have is ultimately a gift from God, and faithful stewardship means using those gifts wisely, generously, and for the building of God’s kingdom.
Join us for our daily reflections. In 10 short minutes, we’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help us better understand God’s Word.
You can read today’s passage here.
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Good morning! It’s good to be with you on this Monday morning. I hope you’re doing well and that you had a great weekend.
Summer is winding down around here. Public schools have started in Starkville, private schools are beginning soon, college students are moving back to Mississippi State, Thomas is heading to Delta State later this week, band camps are in full swing—it seems like summer has flown by.
I hope you had a wonderful summer, but now we’re heading into a busy and exciting season.
Today we’re going to begin Chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians. My Bible treats it as one long section, but I’m going to divide it into two parts. Today we’ll look at 1 Corinthians 9:1–14, and tomorrow we’ll finish the chapter with verses 15–27.
Read the passage here.
Paul is talking about the support of those who proclaim the gospel, and I’ll admit, this is always a little uncomfortable for me to talk about because I’m one of those people.
But before we get there, I want to point out something Paul says at the very beginning.
He asks,
“Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?”
If you’re new to these reflections, or if it’s been a while since we’ve talked about it, it’s worth taking just a minute to explain what Paul means by “apostle.”
Today, some churches use “apostle” as a title for leaders. I’m not criticizing that or commenting on how any particular denomination organizes itself. I simply want to explain how the word is being used in the New Testament.
Biblically speaking, an apostle was someone whom the risen Christ had personally appeared to and commissioned for a specific mission in establishing the early Church.
The Twelve Apostles were personally called by Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Paul wasn’t one of the Twelve, but on the road to Damascus the risen Christ appeared to him and commissioned him to become the apostle to the Gentiles.
That’s why Paul often has to defend his apostleship. He’s saying, “Yes, I belong in this group because the Lord Himself called me.”
Then Paul shifts to another subject.
He says that those who devote themselves to proclaiming the gospel have a right to receive support from the Church.
Interestingly, Paul also points out that he personally chose not to make use of that right in many places because he didn’t want anything to become an obstacle to the gospel.
That brings us to a subject that’s always a little awkward for pastors.
Here in the United Methodist Church, my salary isn’t something I determine.
It’s set through the church’s leadership, approved by the appropriate committees, affirmed by the Charge Conference, and overseen by our district leadership.
I’m deeply grateful for the churches that have supported Holly and me throughout our ministry.
I never want to take that for granted.
In fact, one of the things I often tell our staff is this:
Every dollar we receive from the church was first someone’s act of worship.
Think about that.
Every dollar in the church budget began as someone praying...
Writing a check...
Giving online...
Or placing an offering in the plate because they wanted to honor God.
That changes the way you think about church finances.
Those aren’t just dollars.
They’re acts of worship.
They’re expressions of faith.
Because of that, we ought to treat every dollar with great care.
We shouldn’t hoard it.
But we also shouldn’t spend it carelessly.
We should ask how those gifts can best be used to build God’s kingdom.
Every Sunday, when we receive the offering, I pray something like this:
“Lord, bless these tithes and offerings and use them for the building of Your kingdom, so that all may come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.”
That’s the purpose of every gift that’s given.
But I think Paul’s principle reaches far beyond church budgets.
Everything we have is a gift from God.
Your job...
Your health...
Your education...
Your opportunities...
Your abilities...
None of those are ultimately things we’ve earned on our own.
They’re gifts of God’s grace.
And because they’re gifts, we’re called to be faithful stewards of them.
We don’t hoard what God has given us.
We use it generously.
We don’t spend thoughtlessly.
We use it wisely.
We honor God’s gifts by putting them to work for good.
I’ve said this before when we’ve talked about stewardship:
I can’t think of a single saint of God whose defining characteristic was stinginess.
The people I most want to imitate are generous people.
They’re generous with their money.
They’re generous with their time.
They’re generous with encouragement.
They’re generous with forgiveness.
Their lives reflect the generosity they’ve first received from God.
That’s what I think Paul is really calling us toward.
Honor what God has entrusted to you.
Whether it’s your finances...
Your talents...
Your opportunities...
Or your influence...
Recognize that every good gift comes from the Lord.
Then use those gifts faithfully, wisely, and generously for His glory.
Thanks for being with me today.
Tomorrow we’ll finish Chapter 9 and look at one of Paul’s most memorable passages about running the race of faith.
I hope you have a wonderful day, and I’ll see you tomorrow.