Daily Bread_July 26, 2013

Title: Do You Have the Heart of A Servant?

Text:

1 Corinthians 9:12-16 (HCSB)
¹² If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don't we even more? However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.
¹³ Don't you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar?
¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.
¹⁵ But I have used none of these rights, and I have not written this to make it happen that way for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast!
¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Observation:

Giving up your freedom is not what Paul says in this text. What Paul was willing to do was place a high value on others, and be willing to give up his rights in serving the cause of the gospel of Christ. The last two verses of the text summarizes Paul's heart; his love for God, and for the people who needed to hear the goodnews of the gospel of Christ.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I ask that You would create within me a heart of compassion for people who need to hear the gospel of Christ; and like Paul, I would be willing to give up my rights for the advancement of the gospel of Christ. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

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Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

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