BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Yesterday, Paul opened his discussion about food. Today, he pivots to discuss money, but then returns to food sacrificed to idols. Why sandwich money between food instructions?

Before this, Paul also connected bedrooms with courtrooms (1 Cor. 5-6). Those earlier topics both dealt with relationships: Are Jesus’ followers using each other for material gain (courtroom) or sex (bedroom), or are they truly loving one another?

Food and money both involve relationships too. Does freedom mean “eat whatever, whenever?” Does freedom mean “spend however you prefer?” No on both counts, says Paul. Instead, abstain from certain foods if others prefer that, then you will be free to love. Be free to let go of money in order to hang on to loving relationships.

Many teachers receive money for their service, but not Paul. This leads some to assume Paul’s teaching might be cheap and less important. Sure, Paul says, I have liberty to make my living from ministry, just like other apostles. But I am free. I don’t have to accept any payment. For the sake of love, I’m letting go of this right.

Instead, Paul makes tents to earn his living. But why, specifically?

The patron-beneficiary system at work in Paul’s day created a semiformal web of relationships where rich patrons gave favors, protection, and status, and recipients, or beneficiaries, then owed their loyalty and service in return. If Paul accepts financial favors, he’ll be in debt to wealthy givers, and he refuses to be tied down. By accepting no payment, he can serve rich and poor alike, and it eliminates any suspicion that he’s in it for the money.

So final answer about food and money—what’s the correct approach to both?

It depends on the situation, Paul says. You Corinthians have liberty to eat whatever, whenever. But if exercising that right causes other people to violate their consciences or to think Christians are worshiping another god, then, like Paul, let go of that right to embrace Jesus’ law of love.

Paul rejects the love of personal “rights” and, instead, accepts Jesus’ instruction to be compelled by love in every relationship.

Reflection Questions

• Take a moment to review the stories from Israel’s history that Paul cites in today’s passage: the golden calf incident (Exod. 32:1-6; 1 Cor. 10:7), Korah’s rebellion and the Israelites’ grumbling response (Num. 16; 1 Cor. 10:10), the complaining that led to the plague of snakes (Num. 21:5-9; 1 Cor. 10:9), and the Israelites’ sexual sin and idolatry in Moab (Num. 25:1-9; 1 Cor. 10:8). What wisdom might these stories offer Paul’s readers (both then and now) as they face their own tests?
• What are a few tangible examples from day-to-day life that require a decision between exercising your personal rights or letting go of them in an effort to bless and care for others?