1 Corinthians 9:13-18

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 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 9:13-18

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Yesterday we talked about the Apostle Paul’s desire for blamelessness.  At the heart of why he wants blamelessness is so that people would come to know Jesus.  The Gospel—the Good News of how Jesus came to die for our sins so that we can be reconnected to God—is all the the Apostle Paul cares about.

Do you care about the Gospel?  Do you care about how the Gospel impacts your life?  Do you care whether or not other people hear about the Gospel?  How many times a day do you think about the Gospel?

There’s a lot of things I obsess about.  I can think a lot about the next computer I’m going to buy.  I can think a lot about a video game I’m currently trying to beat.  I can think a lot about a show that I can’t wait to watch.  Today, Maria and I are definitely going to watch the latest episode of The Mandalorian.  It’s so good!  BUT, do I obsess about the Gospel?  Do I think about the Gospel with the same intensity that I think about other things in life of far, far lesser importance?

Sadly for me, it’s a “no.”  And I suspect for you, it’s a “no,” too.  This passage reminds us that the Gospel must be at the center of our lives.  We must eat it, drink it, breath it, and live it.  It is by far the most important thing we have and the most important thing we can give to others.

Do you obsess about the Gospel?