1 Corinthians 9:3-12
Just the other day Sarah and I took Paisley to the movies for the first time to see Toy Story 5 (pretty good movie). For our household we have watched the first through the fourth one about 5 times each leading up to this point, as Paisley loves Buzz and Woody. During Toy story 5 Paisley was blown away at all the Buzz Lightyears that started the movie out, so much so that dad had to go buy her an action figure. She runs around the house yelling to infinity and beyond! It’s funny how God works things out. As we look at today’s Bible passage Paul is writing to the church in Corinth to go above and beyond. Just like in all the Toy Story movies, Woody and Buzz must achieve something. Rather than saving themselves from a situation, they eventually have to save another toy, putting others above themselves. Paul is doing the same thing, notice verse 12:
“If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.”
You see, Paul had every right to receive support for his ministry, yet he chose to go above and beyond by sacrificing his own comfort so that nothing would distract people from hearing the Gospel. Our journey of faith should not be about just what is required, it should be about serving with a heart that best honors Christ and shares the Gospel. Which means sometimes we have to do the hard things. Like give more, forgive sooner, serve quietly, or choose humility over recognition. At the end of the day when we go above and beyond out of love for God and others, we show the selfless character of Jesus.
So, I ask you where is God calling you to serve beyond what’s expected? How can you put the needs of others ahead of your own this week?
Let us take the words that Paul wrote to the Church of Corinth and apply them to our walk, starting today let’s go above and beyond!
“If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.”
You see, Paul had every right to receive support for his ministry, yet he chose to go above and beyond by sacrificing his own comfort so that nothing would distract people from hearing the Gospel. Our journey of faith should not be about just what is required, it should be about serving with a heart that best honors Christ and shares the Gospel. Which means sometimes we have to do the hard things. Like give more, forgive sooner, serve quietly, or choose humility over recognition. At the end of the day when we go above and beyond out of love for God and others, we show the selfless character of Jesus.
So, I ask you where is God calling you to serve beyond what’s expected? How can you put the needs of others ahead of your own this week?
Let us take the words that Paul wrote to the Church of Corinth and apply them to our walk, starting today let’s go above and beyond!
Posted in Devotional