Are You in it for Fame and Fortune? How do You Measure Success?

1 Corinthians 9 is an interesting chapter. Some people in Corinth were questioning the Apostle Paul’s authority. Why? Because he didn’t take a salary or fee from the church for the work he did there. He helped to organize — or plant — a new church, train leaders and teachers, and he preached the Gospel Truth — the Good News — of Jesus’ salvation. Let’s read how Paul handled this…

1 Corinthians 9

Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.

This is my answer to those who question my authority. Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals? Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?

What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” [Duet. 25:4] Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? 10 Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.

11 Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 12 If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.

13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 15 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. 16 Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.

19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9 NLT

How do We Apply this to Our Lives?

When I started this blog and podcast, I had the opportunity to include advertisements. I found them too distracting from the message of Jesus’ Gospel Truth of Salvation. I took them off. I could also have added a donation button to the blog, as well as a request for donations in the podcast. I didn’t. A friend of mine suggested I write another book. Nope. I don’t want to.

I reach more people with the blog and the podcast and social media than I could ever do with a published book. People are searching and are hungry for God. I want to provide a website and podcast — free of charge — with easy-to-understand information where they can learn the Gospel truth. Not the water-down, twisted “gospel” that is falsely preached in progressive churches. And certainly not what is taught in Catholic churches — except maybe Charismatic ones.

So, like Paul, I’ve curtailed my rights to monetize my efforts. My goal is to reach as many people as possible without hindrance.

Common Ground

Another thing Paul talks about here is finding common ground with the people. This is imperative. Like it or not, we Christians are selling and marketing Jesus. Being a marketing consultant, I use my God-given skills, talents and expertise in my writing, calls-to-action, and social media posts. Also, I find common ground with the people I’m trying to reach. I…

  • Am a former Catholic
  • Attended a progressive church for years
  • Was a prodigal for many, many years — a lost sinner

I can relate to most people in my target audience. I was walking around with a false sense of salvation for decades! Totally and completely clueless because the churches I attended did not teach SALVATION!

My life’s purpose now is to continue studying God’s Word — the Bible — and to relay its teachings of Jesus’ true salvation — the Good News — to seeking and searching souls. Just like I was. Seeking something, but in the wrong places. I found that something only through Jesus Christ.

My Testimony…

What are YOU Searching For?

Is it…

  • Fame
  • Fortune
  • Love
  • A meaningful relationship
  • An honor
  • Peace
  • Hope
  • Joy
  • Happiness
  • Success

What?

I’ll quote Paul again from his letter to the Philippians

I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:12-14 NLT

If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…

Invite Jesus into Your Heart and Receive the Gift of Grace, Joy, Peace, and the Confident Hope of Eternal Life…

Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart -- let Him in!


Soli Deo Gloria! To God Alone Be the Glory!

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