PRAY: Lord Jesus, thank you that you laid down your rights and emptied yourself for my salvation.

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:1–18

MEDITATE:
If anyone should have the rights, privileges, and respect due an apostle, it should be Paul. (cf. 2 Cor 11:16–29). The Corinthians should be willing to support Paul because he is a legitimate minister of the gospel who served among them. Although Paul has the rights of any other apostle, he says he will not insist on them if doing so will hinder the gospel. Because of his love for Christ and for the Corinthians, he served them without asking for compensation.

Paul is not saying that being a follower of Christ means you have no rights whatsoever. But he is saying that Christians should be willing to decline to assert their rights for the higher value of spreading the gospel.

Questions and Application:

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is your reaction to laying down your rights for the sake of Christ and the gospel?
4. Is God speaking to you about something in particular that he wants you to relinquish?

PRAY: Lord, show me where clinging to my rights prevents me from living and sharing the good news of your love and grace.