Daily Devotion in I Corinthians 9

Artwork from a 1611 Kjv

Daily Nugget:
At the beginning of I Corinthians 9, we see Paul faced a situation that many have experienced.  His call to serve God was in question. People doubted Paul.

In his case, some questioned if Paul saw Christ and could be called an apostle. Obviously, in our case, that would not be the situation.  Still, we, too, can become objects of the scrutiny of others in our service to the Lord.

Paul’s defense was that he saw Christ (Acts 9:3-6, and again in Acts 18:9-10), but there was more visual proof God was using the man. That evidence can also determine today if the Lord is using a person.  Verification can be accomplished by examining the “fruits” produced by what has been done for the Lord.

If God is using a person, there will be evidence. In Paul’s example, the man was leading multitudes to the Lord.  People were getting healed, many miracles had been performed, and he started churches. How could anyone stand there and quibble over whether God was using the man?

Today’s servants may also face criticism about whether God is using them. Often, those pointing fingers and being critical are not actively busy for the Lord themselves. Seldom do those who do anything for the Lord get involved in judging a fellow worker, but the judgments against workers continue.

Where judgmental and discouraging remarks are directed at one trying to accomplish something for the Lord, it is best to remember whom we serve. We are not doing it for another’s approval.  Teaching a Sunday school class, working on a church bus route, visiting the sick, preaching, ministering to those in a nursing home, interpreting to the deaf, and doing other ministries are for God.

One can almost expect criticism for one’s effort to serve the Lord.  Paul was discouraged by others, who were often Christians. Jesus had those questioning Him as well.

We, too, will get our share of criticism when we try to serve our heavenly Father. We do not need to be nasty or offensive to those questioning our loyalty and service. Perhaps we even need to see if the Lord spoke to us through our accusers. Maybe the Lord is trying to get us to do something differently through their remarks or even to change ministries.  However, the foremost goal to be remembered and what should be an encouragement to us is to recall “Whom are we serving?”

Today’s Thought: 
“When God needs a job done, He usually calls on a busy man who has already shown himself to be faithful and an obedient worker for Him. God's reward for good service is often more work by the one that can be trusted to get God’s tasks done!”

Words to Understand:
Carnal: decision or activity governed by fleshly leadings, not spiritual
Forbear: to tolerate; put up with

Today’s Reading:
I Corinthians 9
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 ¶ Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 ¶ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 ¶ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 ¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.