"Giving Up My Rights" September 6 Readings: Isaiah 23-24, 1 Corinthians 9:12–27, Psalm 104:30–35, Proverbs 22:8–9

Today's Readings -  Isaiah 23-24, 1 Corinthians 9:12–27, Psalm 104:30–35, Proverbs 22:8–9

Devotional 

Lawyers and insurance companies are pretty clear on their advice - never surrender your rights. The American constitution grants its citizens certain "unalienable" rights and we should be loathe to give those up. I do not disagree with them.

But on a personal level, Paul advocated something very different in 1 Corinthians 9. Having established that he is a full-fledged apostle who has the right to all the privileges, respect and support that any apostle should receive, he then made some strong, bold statements in 1 Corinthians 9:12-27.

He begins in verse 12 by stating his attitude towards his rights and privileges.

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right; instead endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ. 

In the interests of proclaiming the gospel of Christ, he gave up his rights - his rights to money, his rights to respect - he was willing to sacrifice any of them for the sake of the gospel of Christ. He would endure disrespect and the denial of his rights for the sake of others. He spells this out in verses 19-23. 

Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.

 He was willing to become "all things to all people" so that he could bring people to Christ. Nothing mattered as much to him as the cause of Christ. 

I have a lot of rights as an American. And in human terms, I consider that I have certain rights to be treated be treated a certain way. But what is there that I would not give up to see people around me come to Christ? Is there anything I have too valuable to sacrifice for Christ? Are my rights so precious that they would mean more to me than the propagation of the gospel? 

Father, may I have the devotion of Paul to the cause of your Kingdom. May nothing matter to me as much as seeing people come to the knowledge of Christ. 

Think and Pray

Are you willing to endure suffering and sacrifice your rights for the cause of the gospel? 

Consider your life. How do you balance your own rights and needs and the purposes of the kingdom. If they stand in conflict, which do you choose? Which do you put first?