A Gift to the Preacher s House 1 Cor 9:11 DR. MICHAEL ALIMO

Transcription

1 A Gift to the Preacher s House 1 Cor 9:11 DR. MICHAEL ALIMO

2 Brief history The church in Corinth was planted during Paul s second missionary journey, Acts 18:1-18 between AD. The Corinthian church was one of the 27 churches planted by Paul and the most problematic church. Paul stayed there for one year and six months to put the church in order before he left. After Paul left Corinth the church was plagued with division, lawsuits, immorality, disorderly worship, spiritual immaturity, and false doctrines.

3 Paul absence affected the church so much that it brought serious disunity, sexual immorality in the church. Anything goes and the only church that Paul refused to take support This explains the seriousness of good preachers in our churches. We visited 10 churches and what we saw were pathetic.

4 The Gospel Message The Gospel message often note that Jesus merciful deeds were motivated by compassion for human need, Matt 14:14. Jesus instructed his followers to be similarly concerned about meeting human needs especially those who preach the gospel. Jesus declared that judgment would be determined by how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the prisoner, Matt 25:31-46.

5 Spiritual and Physical things Paul says, if we have sown unto you spiritual things, then of course you are expected to give the physical things. The two sentences in this verse contain a striking double opposites or contrasts, the we and you being emphatic, and spiritual being opposed to physical.

6 The spiritual things are the things of the Spirit of God, given by the Preacher to sustain your spiritual being. The physical things are what the Preachers might expect in return in support of their physical nature.

7 Is It a Burden? Paul asks, is it a burden? Is it to be regarded as unjust? Are we asking for too much? The preacher impacts to you the gospel of Christ under divine blessings in order to know the way of God,

8 To understand God s plan of salvation to be saved, To lead a comfortable and peaceful life in this world with the hope of heaven. If we give you permanent things of God, is it too much that you give us temporary things?

9 Those in Macedonian were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings, Rom 15:27 The reason for giving out gifts to those who share spiritual things with us is not to pay for our salvation but it is showing love, gratitude, and justice which are the marks of a true Christian

10 If we receive spiritual things of infinite value, and of enduring importance then, of course we need to show appreciation with physical or carnal things. Dispensing or sharing our material wealth liberally to the service of God, is the best way to preserve our wealth It is more blessed to give than to receive, Acts 20:35

11 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches Gal 6:6 Liberality in the support of gospel workers is grounded upon the fact that we shall all receive, in the harvest at the end of the world, according as we have sown during the time of our probation here.

12 The scripture says there should be a lovely exchange between the preacher and members Whoever will not give our Lord God a penny, gets his due when he is forced to give the devil a dollar.

13 εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν τὰ πνευματικὰ ἐσπείραμεν μέγα εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῶν τὰ σαρκικὰ θερίσομεν, 1 Cor 9:11 The construction here is it a great thing, a burden, or too much? is not a question as such in Greek, but it is an appeal to the human sense of justice.

14 Paul argues that the doctor, the accountant, the lawyer, the schoolmaster receives gifts for his work, how much more the person who leads you to heaven. The ox treading the corn was unmuzzled, so that it might also feed as it continued to toil

15 Under Moses Law The comparison is more striking. The priests under the old dispensation were supported out of the offerings of the people and therefore why not the ministers of the new? Priests and Levites lived entirely by the offerings and gifts of the people.

16 The Priests had certain towns allotted for their residence, special portions of the sacrifices were given to them for their food The people paid certain tithes for the supply of other necessities, but these were not a burden to them.

17 Our Responsibility Supplying material gifts to our Preacher is a responsibility Our elders who preach and work hard also need to appreciated Paul says remember the provisions made under Moses Law According to the equity of Moses law, Christ has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel, Luke 10:7-8; Matt 10:11.

18 It is one of the tricks of Satan to defraud godly ministers of support, that the Church may be deprived of their services. Paul's recommendation arose from a desire to preserve a gospel ministry God s will is the same under the New Testament as it was under the Old It is not a matter of choice, whether we should give gifts to our preacher or not, it is a commandment of God.

19 It is the will of God, that those who are taken off from worldly employments, and spend their time in the study and preaching of the gospel, should have a livelihood from their labor. Since preachers are God s soldiers they should not go to war at their own expense.

20 They are laborers and are worthy of their hire, the Lord s shepherds and are worthy of the milk of the flock, Deut 25:4, 1 Cor 9:9-10, 1 Tim 5:17 Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land, Deu 12:19 It is a commandment of God that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel

21 Conclusion We need to remember that discharging our responsibilities demand faithfulness and willingness The strong love that binds us makes it easier to discharge our duties A few weeks back, we learned that we do not say love but we show love. If you love your preacher, if you appreciate the good work he is doing show your love to him

22 Give him expensive gifts because love is sacrifice The work of a minister is tedious and needs a lot of sacrifice and self denial. Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land Deut 12:19 Take as well to show your love with sweet smelling gifts and God will surely bless you.