Walking the Talk

Walking the Talk
Words of Faith 6-18-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Corinthians 9

    Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? [2] Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

    [3] This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. [4] Don't we have the right to food and drink? [5] Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? [6] Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?

    [7] Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk?

       So be careful. Be very careful how you live. What good is freedom if it causes a brother or sister to pitch headlong and be injured? In eternity, what does that gain? Our words and actions should be measured and considered with regard to how other people might rise or fall, rather than simply concerning our personal expressions of freedom.

      Paul was willing to be a vegetarian if necessary, if it would keep a brother from faltering in his faith! But all that was just hypothetical. He boldly lived this principle out in his own life and ministry when he refused to receive financial support from the church even when he had an absolute right to do so.

       The biggest issue related to Paul was whether he was really "an Apostle". There were rumblings of doubt about this. Some were adamant that Paul should not be honored or treated as a real "apostle" because he had not walked with Jesus during his earthly ministry. Some accused Paul of claiming apostleship just so he could gain money. These rumblings would not go away easily. He would later give a more extended defense of his apostleship (2 Cor. 10-13). Here, Paul illustrates the freedom issue related to those who question him.

        Paul pointed out his well-known steadfast refusal to derive material support from those he was ministering to, so no one could say he was motivated by money (2 Cor. 2:17). It was a considerable sacrifice of a freedom he was entitled to, but it was important. Rather than create a possible point of contention or a "scandalos" for some believers, Paul made his own life very much harder.

        Paul's position as an apostle was like that of a knowledgeable Christian regarding freedom and rights. Paul had refused to be maintained at the church's expense even though he had a right to such support (Matt. 10:10-11).

       The following verses say some important things about paying those who work in ministry, but the big point here is still about freedom. Paul put his sweat and labor where his mouth was. He was not just talking. He walked the walk where it really counted.

        Rather than cause the "rumblers" to stumble, Paul had worked hard with his hands and given up the right of an Apostle to receive financial support in the places that he ministered. Paul took a "day job" making tents. He sought offerings only for the poor widows in Jerusalem who were being neglected. Paul was willing to turn in his entire paycheck and work in the market, and then he used even that contact to share the Good News.

        Our devotional reflection on this passage should not miss pausing to ask a few introspective questions with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

         Has my freedom become a stumbling block to a weaker brother or sister? Is there some area of life or practice, behavior, or conversation that might be a detriment to someone in the Body of Christ or a person to whom I minister? Is there an aspect of my lifestyle that is a stumbling point to someone that the Lord is bringing to faith in Christ?

        Are the things I do and buy that could be an encouragement to others, a witness and testimony of how much I love Jesus, or a discouragement of their faith? Are the places I enjoy edifying to the growth of others, or do they cause some to stumble? Is my mouth a consistent source of encouragement to others, or does my "right to expression" and freedom of speech sometimes cause a setback for the Kingdom of God?

        Is there some "right" that I have been clinging to that is not all that important in the span of eternity? Am I willing to set aside that "right" or freedom so that others may be better encouraged in their walk and faith? Is there something I need to change?

        Father God, look deeply into my life. Help me see and trust that You will supply all of my needs according to Your glory. Help me know that You will provide the Living Water deep within me. Help me to see the important things and those that are unimportant. Help me to find the balance in life so as not to cause others to stumble, and yet to always walk in Your freedom won for me. Set me free from the opinions of others-- while at the same time giving consideration to those who are weak. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.