Earning Your Keep

Scripture: Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 1 Corinthians 9:4-11

Observation: In reading 1 Corinthians, it has become more and more apparent that Paul is writing this letter in part to respond to some specific questions from the church in Corinth. Previously, there was the question of marriage that was both general, but obviously also was addressing one specific woman's situation. Here again we have one specific issue being discussed - to what degree is the church obligated to provide for Paul and Barnabas.

And again, Paul's response is both general and personal. He points out that John and Peter and Jude all receive from the churches, thus Paul should too. But he also gets general - he shows that the scriptures apply that anyone working in a situation is allowed to receive out of that situation, just as an ox is allowed to eat the grain it is treading.

Application: While Paul also says he does not claim these rights from the church at Corinth, he still outlines a cause and effect here: If he has had success is sowing spiritual faith among the church, he has earned material rewards from the church. This hits home with me because I don't think there is any way I have earned what I have received. I do not do enough spiritually to warrant the payment I receive materially.

This makes me then wonder how I can do more. How can I go further and deeper here at my holy vocation in order to align my work with my reward? Today, I can think of one way: I need to become more intentional and obvious in my faith at work. I need to be prepared to speak of my faith and of Jesus, and to make it clear to all where I stand, even in a secular work environment. This includes how I care for all ... and remembering that is actually the job - to change lives of everyone else.

Prayer: Abba, your rewards are great and I know they come from your love. While I can never possibly earn the reward of your grace and forgiveness and eternal life, may I daily seek ways to earn the material blessings you provide. Amen.