First Corinthians 9 Part 2 Are We Financially Supporting Our Church & Our Pastor?

Sinners converted to Christ proved Paul's commission from Christ. 

1 Corinthians 9:1-2  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. 

Paul is guided by God's Spirit to address those false teachers and those who caused division in the church at Corinth. 

Those people cast aspersions on Paul's integrity and character. They questioned his claim to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. 

Paul began by reminding them that each person converted to Christ at Corinth was a living testimony that Paul was sent by Christ to preach the gospel. 

Malcontents attacked credibility of the apostle Paul.

1 Corinthians 9:3-6  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? 

His opponents were scrutinizing everything that Paul said and did in a relentless effort to find fault. 

The word "examine me" is a forensic term and Paul views it as appearing before a legal tribunal. Thus, guided by the Spirit of God he is obligated to refute their accusations.

Meat and drink, clothing and shelter were, the basic necessities of life that the apostles required. 

It was right that they who labored in the Gospel should live by the Gospel. This means that each church was obligated and privileged to support those men in gospel labors.  

The apostles did not wish to make a fortune, or accumulate wealth. All they desired were the basic necessities of life so that they could keep preaching the gospel and guiding the churches. 

Paul and all the apostles had the right to expect support from the churches they planted. 

The apostles were required to seek out a Christian wife as the words "lead about a sister" mean. 

The apostles were free to marry. Our Lord’s brothers James and Jude were married. 

There is clear evidence that Peter was a married man, not only from this verse, but from Matthew 8:14.  

Paul said that the apostles did not usually support themselves by their own labor.

However, Paul and Barnabas did generally work with their hands to support themselves.

Paul and Barnabas had a trade at which they could conveniently labor wherever they came.

From Paul's rhetorical questions we can see that those who caused division at Corinth questioned his right to receive support from the churches. 

They called into question his right to be married to a Christian wife. 

They questioned the right of the apostles not to work and be fully engaged in gospel ministry. (See Acts 6:1-7). 

An apostle has every right to expect support from the churches. 

1 Corinthians 9:7  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? 

Does a soldier provide his own victuals? The answer to the question is "No!" The Greek word used here speaks of the military pay or wages. 

Roman soldiers were paid not only in money but in victuals and corn was usually distributed among them. 

Those for whom the soldiers fought were the ones who were to support them. Thus, a soldier expects to receive both food and wages. 

A farmer who plants a crop of grain, or who cares for orchards fruits, nuts, or olive trees, has every expectation that he will enjoy the fruit of his labors. 

A shepherd caring for flocks of sheep, cattle, or goats will most certainly drink the milk and use butter and cheeses from his herds and flocks. 

The Spirit of God guided Paul to use these very common sense illustrations to teach the Corinthians that they were to support the apostles needs. 

God cares for the oxen and He cares for His apostles. 

1 Corinthians 9:8-9  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? 

Paul asks his accusers, "Do you think I say these things in my flesh or of myself?" 

They must remember that the Holy Spirit of God is guiding Paul to instruct them and they must listen to the man of God. 

Then, Paul connects his instruction to the holy law of God by citing Deuteronomy 25:4. 

Is it true that God cares for the oxen who tread out the corn but that He does not care for His apostles? 

The answer is clear. God does care for the oxen and He does care for His apostles.

The apostles lived out their lives and died in Christ, being then absent from their body but present with our Lord.

The oxen is a picture of those faithful men who preach the gospel of Christ, disciple new believers and plant new churches. 

Those who preach the gospel of Christ are worthy of and entitled to receive support from the church. 

They are faithfully sowing the good seed of God's Word into the lives of each believer so that the Spirit of God can produce fruit in them.

Therefore, it is a duty God puts on the churches to supply the needs of those who preach the gospel. 

It is also a blessing to support our pastors as they carry many burdens in their care of the church. 

Often, our pastors face resistance to the gospel from professing Christians and they face societal hatred for the gospel.

Today, we have pastors and missionaries and evangelists who preach the gospel, disciple new converts and plant new churches. 

These are the men who need our financial support. 

Let us be those who are cheerful givers in supporting our local church.

Let us be those who are a blessing and an encouragement to our pastors.

Let us be those upon whom our pastors know they will find a ready friend who stands ready to help them.

Bob