2nd February 2024
What is our motivation for sharing the gospel?
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!
1 Corinthians 9:16 (NIVUK)
What was Paul’s motivation for preaching the gospel? He spent a considerable amount of time in this chapter telling the Christians at Corinth that he has a right to be paid for his ministry activity: ‘Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk?’ (v.7). ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ (v.9). ‘…whoever ploughs and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.’ (v.10). ‘If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?’ (vv.11-12). ‘…the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.’ (v.14).
From all these comments alone, you might be left with the impression that Paul’s motivation for preaching the gospel was his financial gain. However, Paul also said that he did not use this right and would offer the gospel ‘free of charge’ rather than be a burden to members (v. 18).
So, why did Paul feel compelled to preach the gospel; what was his motivation? He was motivated by reward, but it wasn’t the desire for money. For Paul, the reward he was looking for was people. He made himself ‘a slave to everyone’ (vv.18-19), that he could:
- ‘…win as many as possible’ (v. 19).
- ‘…win the Jews’ (v. 20).
- ‘…win those under the law’ (v. 20).
- ‘…win those not having the law’ (v. 21).
- ‘…win the weak’ (v. 22).
The word ‘win’ is interesting: if a country wins a war, it has defeated an enemy; if a person wins the lottery, they have gained a prize. It is this second meaning Paul has in mind. He is compelled to share the gospel not to defeat people by his argument, but to gain the prize of winning people from every tribe and tongue for Christ – this is his motivation.
How about us? Are we motivated enough about people to share the gospel about Jesus Christ with them, as the opportunity arises, in order to win them for Christ? There may not be any money in it, but we will ‘share in [the gospel’s] blessings’ (v.23).
Prayer
Loving Father, please give us a heart for people, and boldness to share the good news of Jesus with others. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands, and Wales
Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church