1 Corinthians 9 : 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Paul finishes this chapter by telling us that he he was not running the race just to be running but he ran to finish the race. Which means he was not preaching just to here himself preach but he expected to get results. This shows us that there must be a goal in ministering just as there is a goal in a race. The same is true when he speaks of beating the air in that he is just waving his arms in air at nothing but is expecting to make a connection with something. Finally he says he disciplines himself to the teachings of the Bible plus he practices what he preaches. He does not want to be seen as a hypocrite so that he would cast aside and not listened to. Paul lived the Christian life to all he ministered to because he wanted nothing but to do the will of God. This is setting us an example to live by and in this world we live in today we can almost expect some of the rejection Paul faced.

1 Corinthians 9 : 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

In these verses Paul is relating to people in way they can understand by comparing the race we run as a Christian to an Olympic style race that was ran in their day.  Life is a race we are running and trying to make it to the finish line and as a Christian it is a race that is run on a narrow path. We must never stop, always look straight ahead to the Lord and know that our path is lite by Jesus Christ.  The race we run is for everlasting life with our Lord And Savior we must never turn back or wander off track but continue till the end is reached. We also see here that those who indulge in a worldly race receive only a crown that will fade away one day.  Christians should always make sure they stay on the right track and not mix worldly things in that could cause them to loose their crown that will be for eternity. The incorruptible crown is for those who Christ will reward at his return who have been faithful to His Testimony. Please attend church today to help you stay on the right track so you can win your race.

1 Corinthians 9 : 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Paul continues here showing us that he could even share the Gospel with those who had very little comprehension, or those with very little knowledge of the Gospel. Again he emphasizes that he did what ever it took to meet the needs of the people he was sharing with.   Finally we see that Paul is doing what he does to further the Gospel by doing whatever it takes and he knows if he shares it with everyone he can he will be able to receive his reward in seeing peopled saved. We see in Paul’s writing so many times he repeats  things in different ways which to me means it is important that we grasp what he is trying to tell us. It makes it seem who he was talking to might have been a little hardheaded, like maybe we are sometimes so it it takes hearing something more than once .

1 Corinthians 9 : 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

Again Paul is letting us know that the made himself free from all men by not receiving any support from them. This caused him to be enslaved to self support but it was so he could win more to Christ. He continues to let us know that even brought the message to the Jews because he was a Jew and he did this by following all the Jewish traditions, and even keeping the law even though they are no longer under the law. He did this to make sure he had a chance to get the Gospel to them. Paul, as we should, did what ever it took to get the message to the people he was witnessing to at the time.

1 Corinthians 9 : 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Paul here tells us that he is doing this willingly because he was chosen by God to to carry this message of Christ. He is not saying it was against his will but that God called him  and since it was  God’s choice and will for him he received not a reward but a stewardship. Since he followed the will God he will receive his reward in heaven. Paul is also saying his reward is being able to deliver the Gospel without having to receive anything from the ones he shared the Gospel with.  He had been given great power to deliver the Gospel but he refused to used that power to further himself. If we remember Paul was a tent maker and this helped to share the Gospel freely. We should learn from this that what God has given us to share we should be honored that He chosen us to help share the Gospel and do it knowing that we will receive the best reward when we are in heaven with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9 : 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Paul in theses verses is letting the the people know that he was not in this for the gain he could get out of it but that he wanted them to understand they needed to take care of those that followed after him. He was called by the Lord Jesus Christ to minister and he would not let anything hinder him from doing that. His desire was to do the will of  god and he learned to be content in the good times and bad. Paul goes on to say that he has noting to brag about because he was compelled to preach gospel ans the Damascus road experience. He thought before that experience he was doing the will of God, but he was not fully informed,  and now he is so he has dedicated the rest of his life to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. He winds these up with saying woe to those that who are unfaithful in their ministering. This helps us to see we need to faithful in ministering and be glad we can do this whether we get any reward here on this earth for it or not, but just be glad we have the opportunity to spread the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Here again Paul is reminding the people that the priest lived off of the crops and animals that the people brought in and even some monetary gifts that were given. The Levitical tribe shared the offerings made at the alter. And continuing in verse 14 he is saying again that if a minister is full time, and doing his job fully as the minister, he should be able to get his needs met by the body of believers he is ministering to. In mos t churches a board decides what the salary of a pastor will be and if it is what they can afford and if the pastor can afford to live of of that. For a true man of God no matter what line of ministry you are called into you should have the faith to know that God is always going to supply your needs  in any situation and there may even be times when you minister for nothing.

1 Corinthians 9 : 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

Paul says in this verse it was his right to have his living supplied by those he ministered to but did not require it of them because he did not want the to think that is why he ministered to them. He was trying to teach them a principle here that the people should support the one who ministers the truth of the gospel to them. False teachers are the ones who are in it for the money and so Paul endured not taking any support from the Corinthians so they would know he was bringing them the truth. A lot of ministers today feel it necessary to work outside the ministry in a secular  job but Paul is saying this should not be the case. Ministers should be able to supply all the needs of theirs and their family through the money received for their ministry if they are committed to it 24 hours a day. Some churches today are large enough that this happens but I feel, in the smaller churches, where usually you gain a better understanding of the word of God and it is not just a feel good church to gain more people and money, then the minister may have to have a secular job.  We should always be aware of the needs of anyone who ministers to us to know that they are taken care of if they are truly doing the will of God.

1 Corinthians 9 : 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, thisis written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

Paul continues to show that when some one works or plants a field they expect to receive either pay or a harvest from the labor they provided. We know that man as a general rule works to feed and cloth his family and a minister should be able to to have his needs met from the ministry he provides. Again those who minister should not minister for great wealth or even for the pay, but they must be paid so they can continue another day. Next he shows us that it is greater to reap those things which are spiritual form what has been sewn into our lives from minister of God’s word. A man gains nothing from reaping the carnal things of this world  but runs the risk of losing his soul.  What shall a man gain, if he win the whole world and lose his own soul?  This is reminding us how much more valuable the spiritual is than the carnal. If we had all the world could offer but did not Christ we would the poorest people in the world. Please attend church today and let God fill your heart with all the love He has for us.

1 Corinthians 9 : 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Paul again here is emphasizing how important it is that the minister of God should be provided for by the church he is ministering to. In the world when we work at a job we expect to get paid for the work we do by the people we did the work for, not obtain great wealth but to receive what we deserve for the job done. The same is true for the minister he is not in it to get rich but to receive what is expected for the services rendered. This was even true in biblical times, the  priest lived of of what was brought into the temple. In verse 9 when  he speaks of the ox it is really talking the men who labor for the Lord and how God will see they are taken care of.  We should always take care of the the people minister to us in any way we can, whether it be with money or goods.