The Apostle Paul began to talk about living at the expense of the churches and it was a right he had, but I would have you listen to what he had to say about it.
1 Corinthians 9
1. Am I not an Apostle ( a Special Messenger)? Am I not free, unrestrained and exempt from any obligation? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not the product and proof of my workmanship in the lord?
2. Even if I am not considered an Apostle (a Special Messenger) by others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal (the certificate, the living evidence) of my apostleship in the Lord confirming and authenticating it.
3. This is my real ground of defense (my vindication of myself) to those who would put me on trial and cross-examine me.
4. Have we not the right to our food and drink[at the expense of the churches]?
5. Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas ( Peter)?
6. Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor for a livelihood [ in order to go about the work of the ministry]?
7. [ Consider this:] What soldier at any time serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of the fruit of it? Who tends a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock?
8. Do I say this only on human authority and as a man reasons? Does not the Law endorse the same principle?
9. For in the law of Moses it is written, you shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares? [Deut.25;4]
10. Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes? [Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest.
11. If we have sown the seed of spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap from your material benefits?
Now Paul had laid down a good foundation for his rights for the Churches to support what he was doing. But look at the road he took.
12. If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we have a still better and greater claim? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way of the spreading of the good news (The Gospel of Christ).
13. Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar in the offerings brought Deut.18;1]
14. On the same principle the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (The Gospel) should live and get their maintenance by the Gospel.
15. But I have not made use of any of these privileges, nor am I writing this to suggest that any such provision be made for me now. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone make void and deprive me of my ground for glorifying in this matter.
16. For if I merely preach the gospel that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings [The Gospel]!
17. For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have my pay [my reward]; but if it is not of my own will, but is done reluctantly and under compulsion, I am still entrusted with a sacred trusteeship and commission.
18. What then is the actual reward that I get? Just this; that in my preaching the good news [the gospel], I may offer it absolutely free of expense to anybody; not taking advantage of my rights and privileges as a preacher of the Gospel.
19. For although I am free in every way from anyone’s control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone so that I might gain the more for Christ.
20. Do you not know that in a race all the runners complete, but only one receives the prize. So run your race that you may lay hold of the prize and make it yours.
As the Apostle Paul states, he never exercised his liberty when it came to being supported by the churches, and in doing so , he was not under anybody control. He could become all things to all men, that he might by all means at all costs save some by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ.
So I say again, be careful that this power of choice[this permission and liberty to do as you please] Which is yours, does not some-how become a hindrance or cause stumbling to a weak or over scrupulous impulse to sin.
Be free in Ministry don’t be under the control of anybody: Let God direct your path.
Think on this
