October 31, 2010

1 Corinthians 9: 9-19 

Pay For The Workers

1 Corinthians

For the law of Moses says, "Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain."  Do you suppose God was thinking only about oxen when he said this? Wasn't he also speaking to us?  Of course he was.  Just as farm workers who plow fields and thresh the grain expect a share of the harvest, Christian workers should be paid by those they serve. 

We have planted good spiritual seed among you.  Is it too much to ask, in return, for mere food and clothing?  If you support others who preach to you, shouldn't we have an even greater right to be supported?  Yet we have never used this right.  We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ.

Don't you know that those who work in the Temple get their meals from the food brought to the Temple as offerings?  And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings.  In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.  Yet I have never used any of these rights.  And I am not writing this to suggest that I would like to start now.  In fact I would rather die than lose my distinction of preaching without charge.  For preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about.  I am compelled by God to do it.  How terrible for me if I didn't do it!

If I were doing this of my own free will, then I would deserve payment.  But God has chosen me and given me this sacred trust, and I have no choice.  What then is my pay?  It is the satisfaction I get from preaching the Good News without expense to anyone, never demanding my rights as a preacher.

This means I am not bound to obey people just because they pay me, yet I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ.       

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Thoughts.....

Good morning.  Let me open with thoughts on the size of the print that I type.  I cannot seem to reach a happy medium so far with the system I am using, so if the print seems too small ( it is even for me), if you hold your 'Ctrl' (Control) button down and you use your scroll button on your mouse moving it forward and backward, you can increase and decrease the size of what you are reading on any page.  If you increase this page, and then you shut off the computer, you will find whatever you open into next will be larger or smaller depending on what you have done for this page.  Do not be alarmed.  Just hit the 'Ctrl' button again, and, using your scroll button on your mouse, change the font size again by rolling it forward or backward depending on whether you want larger or smaller print.  Or return it to normal before you turn off your computer so you aren't alarmed later.  I've also learned that if you find the blue background too harsh behind the black ink, you can highlight everything and obtain white ink on the blue background, which some people prefer.  I hope this helps.

Now, on to what Paul has to say. 

Paul seems somewhat torn as to whether he should do the noble thing and not accept money for preaching, or obey the orders of the Lord and be paid.  He dislikes having to ask for money, this is clear.  But he clearly and dearly wants to obey the Lord on this matter.  This appears to be in the early stages of Paul's ministry as he alludes to wanting to please everyone in later discourse (1 Cor 9: 20-22).  Knowing this, we can see why Paul may be confused somewhat as to how to emphatically proceed on this matter.  I, too, did not want to receive income for preaching the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ.  But it became clear to me, that I, and others, are indeed 'tramping for the Lord', as Corrie Ten Boom has said, and in doing so, I, and others, are workers in the field and due pay.  Let's start at the beginning and do a run through with Paul.

The first paragraph is pretty clear, as he concludes it by saying that "Christain workers should be paid by those they serve", so let's jump to the second.  Paul sounds a bit snippy, or perhaps tired as he asks, "Is it too much to ask in return....?"  Considering the trail he has just forged, I am guessing he now sees the strength needed and the resources lost.  He and his helpers are hungry, thirsty, tired, dirty.  He is perhaps overwrought with the concerns of preaching and overwhelmed over their personal needs and lack of income for such.  He is saying in essence, 'I need some help here, folks.'  There are some that preach in churches, and some who 'work the fields' in homes, on the streets, and from their computers.  The churches traditionally have more income than those of us in the field.  Personally, I have received 'nothing' to date to support my endeavor to preach the Good News that Christ saves.  Now let me explain that.  Through this website I have not received a dime.  But the Lord blesses me in ways I could not imagine.  I have people that care about me, even Agnostics.  (Have I failed because they are still Agnostic?  No.  They know agape, philos love, 'tho' they have not yet received LOVE...Jesus....into their hearts.  But perhaps they will, if even in the twinkling of an eye as the last trumpet sounds due to seeds planted.)  I have food, and I have enough clothes to outfit many (having owned clothing stores previously), who will benefit soon, as I weed out much to give lots.  I have an income.  Although it does not even pay the basics, I have dear ones who loan me money knowing I WILL reap a harvest.  I am telling you this because if you are going into the fields, you need to know as Paul and I have learned, and have many others, the going is not paved in gold, but the gold is in the glory for God.  He richly rewards us as we need it.  I don't always get what I want, but I seem to always have what I need.  TOUGH lesson for a spoiled brat.  But 'oh the joy that's in my soul'. 

As Paul, I have never mandated income from those to whom I have preached.  Indeed, the most important thing is that the world receive the word of God.  I would not want anyone to think they cannot receive his word, his blessings, his love in the event they had nothing and could give nothing.  You should receive freely, as the Lord gives greatly as the word is preached.

In paragraph three Paul addresses the fact that those in the Temple get their meals from the food brought to it as offerings.  And those who serve in the Temple receive a share of the sacrificial offerings.  So in the churches and temples, when folks tithe (10% of what you receive), those that serve the Lord benefit by such...whether it is money, or food (or talents...volunteer, folks!).  Paul said, "In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it."  I have a tendency to be human and say, "Ok, folks, so belly up."  But as a Christian, I will say that the Lord and I would be honored to be considered chosen to receive any offering you choose to share.  You may share in your community, the Lord will know.  You may share by reaching out to me directly, the Lord will know.  Either way, he will cause the water to ripple.  And the world is round.  And it will come back in due measure....trust and obey....there is no other way.  And as Paul goes on to say, my paraphrase:  don't let money or lack of it get in the way of reading or hearing the Good News...the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Do not let it get in the way of all you can be in and with him.  Or do for him.  When you see a child crying, pray and nurture.  When you see someone needing help, reach out.  Help that stray animal.  If you have money, share it with those in need.  And obey the orders of Christ, support those who preach the Good News, if you are benefiting by it.  Know this:  payment can be in prayers, hugs, food, clothes, money, assistance, wherever you see a need, however you can give, do give.  Do they need an usher in the church you attend?  Have you no money except to pay for your computer access and the roof over your head?  Pray for those of us in the field that those who can, will help financially and in all the other needs. 

Paul says he is not writing to suggest that he would like to start receiving money now and that he would rather die than lose distinction of preaching without charge.  This statement is what shows me he is new in his Christ walk.  Because his distinction has to do with pride.  He has placed his pride above obeying the orders of the Lord.  It is never easy to ask for money.  And those churches that do 'stewardship' drives, and those that knock on doors to sell, or those who are in direct sales will tell you the same thing.  But if you give people what they need, they will be grateful....we hope....and return a blessing to you.  It is merely a way of saying thank you.  If you give from the heart of love, it will return back to you.  Maybe not from the person you blessed, but from the orignal source....God.  It will come through someone else and it may not be even what you expect, but God in his immense gratitude and mercy will richly reward you for all you do in his name.

As a child, I was told I was an ungrateful brat.  My ex-husband delighted in throwing that in my face once or twice reminding me of that which I shared of pain.  I never understood why that was said.  I always felt grateful and pleased by the good things that were given me.  Extremely blessed.  Humbled.  And I've wondered why, for the things I've done for people lately, I have not heard gratitude from them.  I did not know if I was deluding myself and it was coming back to haunt me, or if society, in general, no longer sees the good others do for them, or takes for granted those things that people do for them.  I read in the autobiography of Theresa of Liseux, that being a saint isn't worrying about what others think of you as you do for them, but all of life should be about being concerned what God thinks of you.  (My paraphrase.)  And that is the greatest gift.  God's love for you and HIS gratitude for what you do for him and others in his name.  When you are doing for others in his name, you are building a mansion in heaven one timber at a time.  If you are preaching, and you do not receive gratitude directly as the Lord orders, he will see to it that you are thanked and provided for....do not fret.  Trust and obey...I cannot say it enough times. 

Paul also says, "If I were doing this of my own free will, then I would deserve payment.  But God has chosen me and given me this sacred trust, and I have no choice.  What then is my pay?  It is the satisfaction I get from preaching the Good News without expense to anyone, never demanding my rights as a preacher."  I, too, have an immense amount of satisfaction in preaching the Good News.  I am also humbled and  extremely grateful for having been chosen with this sacred trust.  I do have a choice as the secular world goes.  I do not have a choice if I love my Lord with all my heart and all my soul....and I do.  I yearn to please him and thank him for forgiving me of my sins and giving me the opportunity for eternal life.  That is the eternal pay, but the Lord also says we are to be paid for doing the work we do.  Do any of us demand our rights to be paid?  I don't.  I don't see it as a right, I see it as a gift of gratitude.  Not only from those to whom I preach the Gospel, or help as I can however I can, but also from God.

We are but vessels on this earth by which Holy Spirit flows through, if we let him.  We are to be listeners and servants.  The next time you receive money, ask God what he would have you do with his money that he gave you to use.  If you listen to him, he will tell you to tithe and where to tithe and how to put your money to best use.  You will have more at the end of the day, week, month, year than you thought possible.  Especially if you pay the workers....those who have helped you, those who have preached the Gospel to you.  Those to whom God has put in your path.  Can you imagine if everyone gave $1.00 to the person next to them around the world?  It would not make any one person rich, but it would make every person wealthy in their heart....it would be soul food. 

In Paul's last line, it is clear he does not want to work for anyone, but is his own person.  But God would be the overseer of his business, which would provide him with a greater income than if he were just the owner of his own business and certainly more than working for someone else.  God would be the CEO...Chief Executive Officer and CFO...Chief Financial Officer.  With God in the Master positions, and Paul, next in line, everything flows through him....down and up.....because God is in him.  Think of a snowflake.  God is in the center of Paul and from them flows all good things.  As every snowflake reaches out, it connects with more snowflakes.  Or think of cogs on wheels, how they intertwine.  It all comes back.  What you give is what you get.  You do not obey people, but serve  Christ and obey him as you bring others to him to get to know how wonderful and life giving he is. 

So if you are benefiting by the Word, or are preaching the Word, the gifts will come if you put your trust in Him.  As a child of God, you can choose to listen to God as to what to do with your gifts.  If you are being taught, show your gratitude, give freely however you can.  If you are preaching, realize and be grateful for what you have received, and give freely however you can.

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NOTE:  I am not taking responsibility today for the provider of this website and all the issues of spacing, etc. presented.  I do apologize you may have to deal with such.  Thank you for putting up with it. 

Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, Lord Jesus, and Teacher...Comforter Holy Spirit.  Thank you....for everything.  I come to your presence with thanksgiving.  I am blessed to know you love me and that you have given me the opportunity to be forgiven of my sins...if I ask, and, that I might receive eternal life, if I live a life of obedience to you with thanksgiving.  Please forgive me of my sins, and instill in me the desire to be a promise child.  Please Holy Spirit, come into my life fully.  Baptise me in your fullness.  Please fill me to overflowing with all those things I need by and of your grace, to be everything I need to be for you, those in the world to whom YOU send me, and for myself.  Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but say the word and I shall be healed.  Now send me forth to do all you have called me to do and be for the people that so desperately need to hear your message...or be reminded.  Help me be encouraged to live the life I have started with you.  Keep me strong.  Help me to pronounce to the world who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, and that they can have you in their lives, too.  Help me to bring them to Holy Spirit that he might baptise them with the fullness of your love, your saving grace, your guiding grace.  Let me encourage others...and be encouraged.  Give me and others a new life in you.  Help me and others  obey your orders to pay the workers. Help those of us receiving pay be humbled and grateful.  And help me and others to receive the prize of the high calling of God...eternal life.  I am so grateful that you love me. I bow down to you, God, and Glorious Love....Jesus.  Help me to always be real...be true...be right...be loving. And GO forth NOW.  Thank you....and...Amen.         

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More love.... 

  Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member of, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

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As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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