PAUL'S PATTERN OF SELF DENIAL

Sixty plus years ago, when I wrote my Master’s Thesis on the “Missionary Methods of the Apostle Paul”, I know now I should have included a chapter on the subject of his self denial.

As a youth he had been given an education from the chief teachers of his day. Tarsus is known to have had an outstanding library which, no doubt, he had access to as a citizen of Rome, and later he was sent to Jerusalem that he might sit at the feet of Gamaeliel, the most

famous scholar of his day. While this does not say so, it implies that he was of a wealthy background, and was headed for a seat in the Sanhedrin, the “high court” of the Jews at that time. In all likelihood his family did not continue to support their son when he became a Christian. We never read of any of his own family accepting Christ. It was the custom that young men learn a trade, and it was as a tent maker, that he supported himself when it was necessary.

1 Corinthians 9:4-14

We know for a fact that Peter had a wife, for he had a mother-in-law, and it would seem that he was partner in the family fishing business with more than one boat. After Jesus was risen from the dead, Peter went back to his boats, and was accompanied by the other apostles. That was where Jesus found them. This is the last time there is any mention of their going fishing again. As the priesthood was supported from the sacrificial offerings of the people, so were they to be supported by the church. Paul refers to this as a right which he and Barnabas had, but that they did not require. He preferred to pay his own way, just as many retirees choose to pay their own way as “short term missionaries” today. I knew two lovely ladies who lived out the balance of their lives doing that in Africa. Paul speaks of this “power.”

4  Have we not the power to eat and drink?

(1 Corinthians 9:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:6, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:8)

5  Have we not the power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

(1 Corinthians 7:7, Matthew 12:46, Matthew 8:14, John 1:42)

Paul and Barnabas were so often beaten, stoned, or cast into prison for them to have had a wife with them, but some of the others had, and he specifically mentions some of the brothers of Christ, and Peter.

6  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working.

(Acts 4:36)

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?

(2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Timothy 1:18, 2 Timothy 2:3, Deuteronomy 20:6, Proverbs 27:18, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 3:8)

8  Say I these things a man? or saith not the law the same also?

(Romans 3:5)

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?

It would have been an evil owner who would force his ox to walk around a treadmill walking on grain and muzzle it so that it could not eat any of the grain under it’s feet as it walked. So it was written in the law.

(Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Timothy 5:18, Deuteronomy 22:1-4, Proverbs 12:10)

Moving from the animals, the law applies the same principle to men. The same principle was applied in my childhood,  that the garden needs a hoe to break up the clods and to remove the weeds so that I might share in eating the crop. There was never any objection to my eating a juicy ripe tomato right off the vine, or a cluster of grapes. We nearly always had enough for us and to share, or preserve for later.

10  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

(Romans 4:23, 2 Timothy 2:6)

11  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

Paul is providing spiritual, priceless eternal, things in comparison to limited material things.

(Romans 15:27, 1 Corinthians 9:14)

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.

Still, he and Barnabas chose not to use this power, that they might not hinder the spread of the gospel.

It is by this principle that most missionaries welcome assistance from mature Christians in America while they accept none from the people they are teaching where they live. Unfortunately there are side effects. I know one racially mixed congregation that always wanted an American minister who knew that they would not have to pay him anything, and he would pay a tithe of his overseas salary to the church. They don’t learn the pleasure of being a “cheerful giver” from the heart and they are constantly dependent. If they come to a time when there is no missionary to support them, they close the doors.

(Acts 18:3,Acts 20:33, 1 Corinthians 9:15, 1 Corinthians 9:18, 2 Corinthians 6:3, 2 Corinthians 11:12, 1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 9:14, 1 Corinthians 9:16, 1 Corinthians 9:18, 1 Corinthians 9: 23, 2 Corinthians 2:12)

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?

(Romans 6:16, Leviticus 6:16, Leviticus 9:23, 2 Corinthians 2:12, Luke 10:8, 1 Corinthians 9:4)

14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

As with any other task, it is best for the church that it pay it’s own way and to share generously. “The Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”  There were times when Paul accepted help, especially during the many times he was in prison for preaching the gospel. Paul’s general pattern, was one of self denial. That is why I never charged full price for what I printed and published, and now realize no income at all from web studies. I find that the e-books have the most “hits.”   

(Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:7, 1 Timothy 5:18, 1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 4:12, 1 Corinthians 9:12,  Corinthians 9:16, 1 Corinthians 9:18, 1 Corinthians 9:23, 2 Corinthians

2:12, Luke 10:8, 1 Corinthians 9:4)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR

11th  Sunday  -  1 Chronicles 21, 22,    1 Corinthians 9,    Psalm 94:12-23

12th  Monday  -  1 Chronicles 23, 24,    1 Corinthians 10:1-17,    Proverbs 19:21-29

13th  Tuesday  -  1 Chronicles 25, 26,    1 Corinthians 10:18-33,    Psalm 95

14th  Wednesday  -  1 Chronicles 27, 28,    1 Corinthians 11:1-16,    Psalm 96

15th  Thursday  -  1 Chronicles 29, 2 Chr. 1,   1 Corinthians 11:17-34,    Psalm 97

16th  Friday  -  2 Chronicles 2, 3, 4,   1 Corinthians 12:1-13,    Proverbs 20:1-10

17th  Saturday  -  2 Chronicles 5, 6,    1 Corinthians 12:14-21,    Psalm 98

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MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”  -  1 Corinthians 14:1

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Pastors, of course, are no supposed to curse. Instead of cursing, one pastor I know, when he is alone, calls out the names of several members of his congregation -- with feeling!