Good morning! Today we will pickup where we left off in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. Join me as we read verses 13-18. Have a wonderful day.

“¹³ Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.  ¹⁵ Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. ¹⁶ Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

¹⁷ If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.  ¹⁸ What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.” – 1 Corinthians 9:13-18 NLT

In these verses, Paul continues to profess his love for preaching the Good News without charging anyone. He shares his dedication to God and his gratitude for what God has entrusted to him. While according to scripture he can accept payment for his ministry work, stating, “the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.“(v.14) Paul was content and declined payment/support from the Corinthian church. Paul focused on what the Lord had given him to do.

Sisters and brothers, my prayer for you today is that you utilize the gifts/talents that God has entrusted to you. May your gifts/talents be used (unhidden) and multipled throughout the earth. May your decision to follow Christ and what He is calling you to do, not only bless you but also bless multiple people down the line (e.g., at work, school, home, church, community and throughout the world).

Are you ready to take the first or next step?

What gift/talent will you use today to help expand the kingdom; to help the lost, least and the last; those who are grieving; and those who are suffering?

Father God, thank you for Paul’s conversion to Christianity that began centuries ago on a Damascus road. Thank you for leading Him to minister to the Corinthian church and have those same words minister to us today. Lord, you know each gift/talent that you placed inside of us. Lord you know our financial abilities and inabilities, but you still call us to follow you and you love us all the same. Lord, thank you for your unfailing love and grace upon us. Lord, we don’t deserve all the things that you have given us, but we are certainly grateful for them. Lord, teach us and guide us to use the things that you have given us to share with the world. May the things that we do please you and bring glory to your name. Lord, we pray for pastors, preachers, ministers and teachers of the word. Lord, we ask that you examine our hearts and theirs, and correct the areas that do not align with your will. Lord, restore hope to the ones who have been battered by their congregations, politics in the church or financial conditions and have a desire to quit. Lord, lift them up and draw them in closer to you. Lord, give them wisdom and discernment, and the necessary humility to do the things that you have called them to do as leaders over flocks and as people in the congregation. Lord, we pray for faithful followers of you and ask that you encourage them in their walk. Lord, guide them through the tough terrain of this life and instill hope that doesn’t end. Lord, you know each of our needs, every area that we need to grow in as your followers, and our fears. So, Lord touch us, change us, remove our doubts and fears so that we will step out in faith and follow your lead. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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