Human Rights!? Ever since the Constitutional Bill of Rights, many in our country have protested in favor of their personal rights. When we feel rights have been violated, we protest. Difficulty and chaos enter when rights collide.
However, maybe a Christian option is best. Have you ever thought of the benefit of giving up your rights? I know it’s not very popular. But you must admit, it is very unselfish and promotes peace.
The Apostle Paul chose to give up his rights for a higher purpose. Rather than demand our rights it is good for a Christian to exercise the right to give up rights.
While serving in Corinth, Paul gave up the right to earn a living from his ministry. He worked as a tentmaker. As an apostle, he could have demanded financial aid from the church. But he didn’t. (See How much should we pay our pastor?) He gave up his rights for three reasons. These same reasons are still applicable for Christians today.
Reason #1: The Gospel’s Sake.
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:15-18)
Paul saw ministry as a privilege and a duty. But some questioned his motives. Paul chose to not take wages to prove he was inwardly driven purely by his love for Jesus and passion for the Gospel. His wage was the joy of not receiving wages.
Reason #2: The Unbeliever’s Sake.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Paul adapted his method to reach more people. He received wages from other churches, but not the Corinthians. But if he could reach more people for Jesus by not receiving wages from a church, he would do it. When he preached to Jews, he talked about the Patriarchs and the Law. When he preached to the Gentiles, he talked of creation and nature. When Jesus talked to the Jewish leader Nicodemus he talked of spiritual birth. When he talked to a Samaritan woman he talked of living water. Paul changed his methods, but never the central message of Jesus. Christians are not to build walls to keep unbelievers away, but bridges to cross over to Jesus.
Reason #3: Personal Sake.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
Paul’s reward for his labor was recognition from Jesus. He was willing to give up some things for the commendation from Jesus. Like an athlete, he was willing to discipline himself to win the prize. The Corinthians were home of the Isthmian Games (year before and after Olympics in Athens every 4 years). Winners received a prize of a crown of leaves. But Paul was looking forward to an eternal crown for his faithful service. He did not want to be a ‘castaway’ and disqualified. This does not refer to loss of salvation, but loss of reward. Disqualified athletes do not lose citizenship, only the reward.
The Corinthian Christians were so obsessed with their own rights, that they were causing weaker believers to stumble and unbelievers to turn from the Gospel. Paul’s own lifestyle was an example of the mature use of liberty and freedom. Rather than using freedom to feed our selfish desires, a mature believer will give up rights to strengthen other believers and reach more unbelievers for Jesus.
If something I do compromises the gospel, I will stop doing it. If something I don’t do keeps me from connecting with unbelievers to share the Gospel, I will start doing it. Whatever it takes.
A good athlete is disciplined. They say no to good and better things so they can have the best. Even if there is nothing wrong with it, if it interferes with a higher priority, it is a hindrance, not a help. To receive the reward you must pay the price.
To one degree or another, we all give up some things for a greater purpose. For Paul, and for many Christians, giving up our rights for the Gospel, unbelievers, and even our own future, is worth it. What will you give up to bring glory to God?