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
I have heard it said that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. This seems to be true for the Apostle Paul in his remarks to the Corinthian Christians—his main point being that the gospel message that he shares is so wonderful that he is willing to do almost anything to spread it. This passage is a rather unusual one in that Paul does not give his readers any specific suggestions or guidelines. Nevertheless, his words have been used by many as a guide to how one is supposed to behave when planting or leading a church. But, interestingly, Paul does not say that others are supposed to act like he acts. He only tells us what motivates him and how he has chosen to behave. For Paul, and hopefully for us also, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ is its own reward.
Prayer
Almighty God, change our hearts so that we also may be willing to do almost anything to spread the good news of your love for all people in Jesus Christ. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord we pray. Amen.