If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
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4 Days
The apostle Paul is legendary for his work as a minister of the gospel. But we often forget that throughout his ministry, Paul also worked as a culture-creating tentmaker. As Scriptures in this plan make clear, Paul had the option to work as a “donor-supported missionary” but chose not to. Why? That’s the question we’ll answer in this plan, and in so doing, glean insights relevant to our own work.
5 Days
The Scriptures give a number of reasons for people to work—all of them profound in their own way—because what we do for a living matters to God. Work has value in and of itself, it is intrinsically a good thing, and when work is done with excellence, it reflects God. The Bible tells us that our work accomplishes God’s work and purpose in the Kingdom through His grace.
All Christians are called to love and serve the needs of others, but some believers are uniquely gifted to serve by leading, preaching, teaching, shepherding, evangelizing, or going cross-culturally as missionaries. Ministry begins with and is sustained by grace. This devotional plan will help you practice grace in your service to God.
The following reading plan will take you deeper into the three concepts of Spirit, Soul, and Body at a steady pace, building on the message of Jesus' finished work. It will stretch, challenge, and grow you as his follower. Make sure to allow the Holy Spirit space to work in you and to shape you. See the impact for yourself. This is the last of four plans.
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