It has been all out confrontation.  Paul and Barnabas have been cut out even from consideration from the financial giving of the Corinthian church.  He is not speaking about this issue because he wants their money.  In fact, he refuses it.  But he is going to talk about their heart attitude.

Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?  For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?  Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.  If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?  If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?  In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.  For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

The Bible teaches that workers are worthy of their wages.  This is in the Old Testament, and it is in common sense.  Those who serve should receive reward from those who benefit from labors.  Farmers eat from the grain they farm, ranchers drink milk from their cattle, and vineyard workers drink the wine from the grapes.

In the same way, Paul is saying that he and Barnabas should equally be in the sites of their blessing. This is a right. But just to be clear, Paul says this:

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.  

He isn’t asking for money.  He is asking for the respect he rightfully deserves.

But wait, didn’t Paul in other places take money?

“And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only” (Php 4:15).

Yes, he did.  But it’s a different situation in Corinth.  These are newer believers.  He won’t take money if for some reason that it is going to be a hindrance to the gospel.  He would rather die than do so.  He denies his rights to comfort in order to present the gospel without any stumbling block for some who might falsely accuse him of doing so for money.

There are some important applications.

For church leaders who live lavish lifestyles based on the “reward” they receive from preaching the gospel, perhaps they would do well to look at Paul’s life and learn accordingly.  The gospel isn’t about getting rich, it is about Jesus.

For church leaders who are struggling, you know what?  It is ok to receive funds form the harvest.  If it helps you and gets you further in preaching the gospel.

For those who work part time in gospel work and part time in ministry, this is honorable.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  It is not a lesser vocation, it actually is of great value if new believers have no stumbling block of accusation.

To the person in the pew. There should be a heart attitude of generosity towards leaders.  They should not have to go hungry in their spiritual service to you.