1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! Verse 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. Verse 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
Verse 19For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. Verse 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. Verse 21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. Verse 22To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. Verse 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Devotion
God set Paul free. That freedom gave him an obligation. He was entrusted with a commission to preach the Gospel. He did this freely so that all people might be set free as he had been freed.
Paul had a right to a salary, but he did not take it. He wanted to give as freely as he had received. That meant he was very free person. He became a servant to all people. He wanted to move into their lives so they might share in the blessings of the Gospel. In verse 22 he says, "I have become all things to everyone, that I might by all means save some.”
This can also be true for us. When God blesses us, we enjoy and share it. And in the process, God works in a mysterious way. He blesses us more because our capacity has been enlarged through our generosity.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the good news given us in Jesus, your Son. Give me grace to share it. Amen.