An Obstacle To The Gospel

if we sowed spiritual things to you what much if we we reap fleshly things from you? if others share in this right of you do not we more? Rather we do not employ such rights rather we endure all lest we place any obstacle to the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12)

Paul labored with his own hands often going hungry and thirsty, being homeless and poorly clothed ( 1 Corinthians 4:12-13). Paul was a tent maker by trade and while in Corinth he worked with those of the same trade as he taught and preached the gospel (Acts 18:3-5; 11). He could write the words in Romans 8:35-40 because he experienced hunger and nakedness among other hardships. One of the hardships that Paul experienced and took on, that you don't here preached much is that of working with his own hands, and not employing some authority or entitlement to live off the people. He took on this hardship for one reason only; "lest we place any obstacle to the gospel of Christ."

Or did I sin humbling myself so that you are exalted because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you without charge? (2 Corinthians 11:7)

Paul did not proclaim the gospel taking up a charge, offering, tithing... he did not teach as some do teaching spiritual things gives them the right to receive earthly things, money, in return, as it would be seen as an obstacle to the gospel. I actually at first wrote of reasons this would be so and pointed to other scriptures but I deleted it, it doesn't matter. It is a simple truth, do we see as greater the advancement of the gospel or will we place obstacles to the gospel. An obstacle is something people can't get past.

I have become all to all so that by all means some are saved. I do all for sake of the gospel so that I become a partnership in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:22)

I have become all to all so some might be saved. I will not employ some right or authority to live off them, so money is not an obstacle so some might be saved. Paul took on this extra hardship to advance the gospel. If I view partnering in the gospel's blessings as earthly then I will associate the needs supplied from the riches of the glory of God as earthly needs and I will miss the true spiritual blessings and riches. 

Rather we do not employ such rights rather we endure all lest we place any obstacle to the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12)

I ask people I meet often if they go to church and if not why. One of the top reasons is they say "the church just wants my money." In this study this it was listed as the second most common reason people don't go to church.* It settles the matter in my mind. I do not want money to be an obstacle to people knowing Jesus.