Called To Serve

Greetings on this last week of March!
Easter is just two weeks away and Christians all over the world will celebrate once again the victory which is ours through the resurrection of Jesus!  The resurrection is the heart of the Gospel message which God has revealed to the world.  Paul is adamant that the full truth of the Gospel be proclaimed to the world and he reveals in other writings that damnation awaits anyone who would pervert the Gospel for any other message, see Galatians.
So how is it that within Christendom today there are those who preach openly that the resurrection is a myth and Jesus did not rise from the dead, but rather rotted in the ground?  How is it that those who are charged with the proclamation of the Word have replaced the Word with human worldly wisdom?  How is it that the leaders of this age have all but spit on the lives and devotion of those who have gone before them, even the Apostle Paul himself.
The sad truth is that Paul and those who served with him, like Barnabas, Silas, John Mark, Luke, and so many others, devoted their very lives, and in fact, gave their lives for the truth of the Gospel!  Paul was committed to proclaim the Gospel and serve the church in such a way as to put forth no barrier or hindrance to the ministry.  To this end, Paul served the church while also working a regular job to support himself financially.  Paul had learned the trade of tentmaking from his family and used this background to his advantage and for the sake of the Gospel.
As we have addressed in previous articles, there are very few things which can cause friction in a church quicker than money.  This is especially true when the money involved is directed toward the preacher.  While there are preachers who use the church for personal gain, the vast majority of clergy simply love God and desire to devote their lives to serving God by serving His people.  Paul’s message is that God has ordered life among His people that the one who preaches the Gospel should be cared for financially through the Gospel ministry. 
If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?  If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.  Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:11-14
Paul makes the point that there are others who are being provided for through the Gospel.  He says, If others share the right over you, do we not more? Remember, Paul is writing back to the church at Corinth after having been gone for quite some time.  They have asked questions of Paul as the one who first came to them and founded the church.  Paul even references this when he says, If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?  Paul’s reference to having sowed “spiritual things” addresses the fact that when Paul arrived in Corinth there were no Christian’s present.  He and Silas went in “cold turkey” so to speak.
To begin a church from scratch, knowing that everything you do sets the standard or pattern for the future of the church is an intimidating reality.  Having lived this at Spirit and Truth, I can tell you firsthand that it is never far from my mind that others will one day pick up the reins of leadership and what I do will have a bearing on how they are received and serve. 
I am going to step out on a limb and suggest that the question asked of Paul had to do with the church at Corinth struggling with the idea of having to pay the pastor who was placed in the position of leadership after Paul left.  I can almost hear the question, “If Paul served free of charge, why can’t our current preacher do the same?”  
Paul uses an image that the converted Jews would have readily understood.  Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar?  The Jewish priests are given their food from what is offered in sacrifice to God.  They make the sacrifices, and a portion is set aside for their families.  What is given to God as an offering is used to support those who are in service to God.  It has been this way since the Old Testament form of worship was established at Mt. Sinai. 
There should be no issue about paying the preacher, but as I said, there are many who balk at anything being given to those who serve in the church.  Paul ends this section with a very clear statement, So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.  Please understand, Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote this Word and as such it is the Word of God for us.  The issue should be settled, but is it?  There are those churches which refuse to pay anything to their servants.  Others pay a poor wage.   Those who serve do so as “worker-priests,” meaning they work a secular job and are at the church for services.  While this can work, it limits the work the shepherd can do because he is distracted and obligated to other places. 
God wants better for His people then for them to be in a position to receive only the time a person can spare!  When someone is in need, the servant of God should be available and present to meet that need.  This is extremely true when it concerns health issues such as hospitalizations and times of death and loss.  For a person to be told, “I have to work” leaves them alone at a very tender time of need.
So, Paul is clear!  God wants His servants to be present and available for those they serve at any and all times.  To make this possible, those who serve are paid from what the church collects and therefore devote all their time to the ministry of the Gospel in all the ways it impacts God’s people and the world.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Russ