Who Knows The Future?

Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 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. [I Corinthians 9.9-11]

I believe Paul's belief that Jesus was returning soon is obvious in his writing here. As a Christian leader, Paul could see that money could potentially be a stumbling block for the people. So, Paul chose to step outside the established system of support for ministry leaders and support himself.

But also, and again as a Christian leader, Paul would also recognize that his actions were setting precedent for other ministry leaders. However, as Jesus' return is prolonged, Paul's example is simply not sustainable. Ministry leaders, while perhaps able to sustain themselves for a time, really need to be supported by the church. The benefit of this is twofold: the leader is sustained and the church functions properly.

So was Paul wrong? I don't think so here... Paul was operating with all his heart on the knowledge he had and believed. Paul believed Jesus' return was imminent. However, we as believers two thousand years later need to recognize what has taken place here. Jesus did not come back in Paul's perceived time frame and therefore logistics took on a whole new face. In the case of ministry support discussed in today's NT reading, Paul's leadership to not 'go with the established system' ultimately short-circuits the system for later ministry leaders who are perhaps have no other sustainable form of income.

But who knows the future? Can we re-adjust our logistical thinking because we believe Jesus is NOT coming back soon simply because He didn't return as Paul thought he would? I don't think so. But perhaps we can reason that our faith, although subject to God's timetable and not our own, should expect and prepare for Jesus to return soon - but at the same time "understand" that He might not...

I don't know if I am making any sense or not...

Father, thank You for Your Word. And thank You that Your Word is not simply words written with ink on paper and contained in a binding. But I am grateful that Your Word is living - alive - and certainly much more effective than a book.