Let's take another look this week into the concept we have been discussing this year, which is summarized by the phrase "Put Me in, Coach." We have been looking at our role in bearing fruit and being productive for the Lord, specifically if we can actually volunteer to act or do we need to be directed by the Lord at all times. The last two weeks we studied Jesus' life, the greatest volunteer of all time. This week, let's look at the man who had the greatest impact on the early church after Jesus, and that is the Apostle Paul.
VOLUNTARILY
Paul wrote the Corinthians about his commission to preach the gospel:
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:17-18).
It seems Paul was indicating it is acceptable to carry out God's will without volunteering, but it seems that there is no reward for doing so. It is simply a matter of duty. Yet if we do it voluntarily, there is a reward, but not as we would think. Paul's reward was that he could volunteer to preach free of charge to those who heard.
It was customary in Paul's time for teachers and speakers to travel and receive pay for their services. Paul also established that this was an acceptable practice for God's servants as well. Yet Paul chose to work and cover all the expenses for his team. He chose to do this; he says this was his reward for volunteering to preach the gospel. Therefore, Paul preached voluntarily and then volunteered to do it for free, adding to his responsibilities the task of working for a living. Paul saw his ability to volunteer as his reward for volunteering to preach. That's an interesting spin on what he did, don't you agree?
FREEWILL OFFERINGS
In the Old Testament, there was such a thing as a freewill offering: "These offerings are in addition to those for the Lord’s Sabbaths and in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the Lord" (Leviticus 23:38). This was an offering that was not prescribed or demanded, but was given because the offerer chose to do so. God did not "lay the offering" on their heart and they obeyed; they chose what they wanted to give.
I include the concept of the freewill offering because that seems to be what Paul was doing when he voluntarily preached and also volunteered to do it for free. He chose of his own free will to do it. Yes, the Lord appeared on the Damascus road and said He was sending Paul to the Gentiles. When He did, Paul said in his heart, "I'll go," and then added on the part about doing it for free.
God has assigned your purpose and gifts, and bestowed on you a measure of creativity. You should now willingly and enthusiastically accept them and not sit back and only wait for God's direction. You should voluntarily make all those things available and accessible to other people. I am not suggesting God will not direct what He has given you; He most certainly will. At the same time, He will not direct every expression, but will wait for you to volunteer. When you do, make it an extravagant expression, just like Paul did, and receive the same reward, which is the knowledge that you are in partnership with God and the two of you make an unbeatable team. Have a blessed week!
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ALASKA AND ISRAEL: Don't forget about my upcoming trips to Alaska and Israel. Click on the link to get the information you need.
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