BACKGROUND:
Paul gave two more examples of his right to receive support. It was everywhere understood that those who had sacred jobs (such as serving in the Temple or at the altar) were “working” and therefore derived their livelihood from the job. They did not have to go elsewhere. As part of their pay, priests in the Temple would receive a portion of the offerings as their food (Numbers 18:8-24). This was true in the pagan temples, as well.
Paul’s explanation that God’s ministers should be supported by the churches came as an order from the Lord. The churches were required to honor those who preach the Good News, and those who served among the believers should be supported by those who benefit from their ministry. This command from God allowed traveling missionaries and local ministers to focus entirely on the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church, and not be concerned about making money.
The churches were commanded to support God’s ministers, and the ministers had a right to expect such support, but Paul had never used any of these rights in Corinth because he felt that doing so would hinder the spread of the gospel in that city. Paul did accept gifts from some churches, such as the Philippian church ( Philippians 4:14-19). He must have felt, however, that to take any money in Corinth would have caused some to think he was after money instead of souls! So Paul willingly set aside his rights as an apostle. Paul hastened to add that he was not writing all this in the hopes that now the Corinthians would begin to give him support. Instead, he wanted them to know that he would continue to preach without expecting support.
Paul may have “boasted” in his desire to serve the Corinthian believers freely, but he could not boast about that service. Paul was compelled to preach. This compulsion did not mean that Paul did not enjoy this duty (Romans 1:5; 11:13; 15:15-16; Galatians 1:15-16); instead, it means that, like a slave serving a beloved master, Paul served his Lord by faithfully doing the duties God had given him (Acts 9:15-16).
Paul perceived his call by God as a sacred trust; therefore, he felt that he could freely serve God as an apostle without expecting payment. Far from not deserving to be paid, as his detractors were saying, Paul did not feel that he deserved payment for an honored duty that he had been commanded to do. In this matter, he felt that he had no choice but to serve these believers without financial support.
Paul did receive pay in the form of satisfaction from preaching the Good News without expense to anyone. His pay came in being able to show the genuineness of his love and concern for these Corinthian believers.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
As I read this passage this morning, three verses come to mind.
“For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward Him, so that He can show His great power in helping them.”2 Chronicles 16:9 (LB)
“Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others.” 1 Timothy 4:16 (LB)
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
These verses tells us that God is looking for people to use. When Jesus Christ was here on the earth, God did what He wanted to do through the body of Christ physically. And all that God did, He did through His Son, Jesus Christ. But Jesus Christ died, was resurrected and went back to heaven. Today, God still works through the body of Christ. But the body of Christ is you and me. We are the body of Christ. We are His eyes, His hands, His feet. And what God use to do through Jesus Christ, physically, He now wants to do through His spiritual body, the body of Christ. He doesn’t do it through groups but He does it through individuals.
E.M. Bounds who wrote the book The Power of Prayer said “Men are always looking for better methods but God is looking for better people.” Because God uses people. He doesn’t use light bulbs or tents or stages or microphones. He uses people. Paul was one of those people. God used him to change the world, and God wants to do the same in and through you. Maybe God wan't have you change the world, maybe God will have you change the world for one person or one family.
What kind of person does God use in ministry? What kind of qualities make us usable? The Bible says that God is looking for people to use, He’s searching for people to use. I believe that if you will get usable then God will use you in ways you never thought possible.
#1. GOD IS LOOKING FOR HOLY PEOPLE.
Hebrews 12:14 says, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men, to be holy for without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” That’s pretty clear. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. And this is sadly lacking today in our lives, this emphasis on holy living.
#2. GOD IS LOOKING FOR SURRENDERED PEOPLE.
Richard Baxter said “A surrendered life in the hands of a holy God is a fearful thing.” God is looking for surrendered or submissive people. The Bible word for “surrender” when we surrender our total selves to God is the word is the word “broken” or “brokenness”. God uses broken things, broken vessels because that represents something totally surrendered to God.
#3. GOD IS LOOKING FOR BELIEVING PEOPLE
People of faith. People who believe God’s word and they act on it. Hebrews 11:6says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Romans 14:23 says, “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” So obviously God uses people of faith.
#4. GOD IS LOOKING FOR FORESIGHTED PEOPLE.
That means people who not only believe but they look toward the future. God is doing what you expect in your life and He’s doing what you have your eyes on. God says, I want to use people who have their eyes on eternity, having eternal values. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on things above not on things that are on the earth.”
#5. GOD IS LOOKING FOR PERSISTENT PEOPLE
People that He can use in a tremendous way that never give up. They don’t get discouraged. They’re diligent, persistent, determined. They hang on. Paul says, I press on. I don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not get tired of doing what is right for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.”
#6. GOD IS LOOKING FOR LOVING PEOPLE
This is the number one trait of the New Testament Christians. “See how they love one another.” 1 John 4:7-8 (LB) says, “Let us practice loving each other. For love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God and that they are getting to know Him better. But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows He doesn’t know God. For God is love.”
My question to you this morning: Do you want to be used by God? My encouragement for you this morning: Give God everything. Serve God wholeheartedly. Don't hold back. No half way measures. Go for it.
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