Merces Mea | This Right

"If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater   right to be  supported? But  we have  never used  this  right..." — 1 Cor 9:12 

Image by Monika Robak from Pixabay

In the 1 Corinthians Paul asserted the rights as an apostle. Most of the other apostles received support from the churches they ministered to. Paul and Barnabas were unique in this regard, choosing to work and support themselves, so no one could accuse them of preaching for a money motive. They didn’t want to put an obstacle on the way of the gospel of Christ.

According to Paul’s letter, let us reflect on it: 

As ministers, are we entitled to get financial support from the community we minister? Yes, we are. Is that support our priority or goal? 

As someone who is being ministered - as the congregation, please ask God to whom/where we want to give our tithe. Paul wrote, we are different parts of one body of Christ. God gives some of us the gift of teaching, the others the gift of doing miracles, or the gift of preaching, the gift of prophecy and some of us the gift of giving. We complete one another. As someone who is being blessed and grows in faith because of the teaching or serving of a particular ministry, it is right to give our tithe to that church or ministry. Then, are we entitled to get something in return from the church or ministry? 

Let us - the ministers and congregations, check our motivations. Do I do everything for the glory of God and Lord Jesus or for me, myself. So we don’t put an obstacle on the way of the gospel of Christ. God bless you.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 9:1-12 by Veralin Uneputty