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哥林多前书：9：然而，我们没有用过这权柄，倒凡事忍受，免得基督的福音被阻隔。13你们岂不知为圣事劳碌的，就吃殿中的物吗？伺候祭坛的，就分领坛上的物吗？14主也是这样命定，叫传福音的靠着福音养生。15但这权柄我全没有用过。我写这话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死，也不叫人使我所夸的落了空！16我传福音原没有可夸的，因为我是不得已的；若不传福音，我便有祸了。17我若甘心作这事，就有赏赐；若不甘心，责任却已经托付我了。18既是这样，我的赏赐是什么呢？就是我传福音的时候，叫人不花钱得福音，免得用尽我传福音的权柄。
保罗传道不接受钱财是有原因的。他不希望这阻碍福音的传播。所以他传福音分文不取。令人悲哀的是，某些哥林多人竟然把这件事情当成是保罗的弱点，并因此批评保罗。
说到传福音，我们应该注意一个重要的原则。传福音应该是免费的。牧师不会为他们提供的教牧辅导收费。也不应当为举办婚庆和葬礼的服务而收费。对教会来说，付给牧师足够的薪水很重要，这样他就不会受到试探去滥用自己的职权来增加收入。传扬福音应该如同上帝的恩典一样。它是免费的！
是什么阻碍了我们传福音?我们应该经常问这个问题。我们是否能把福音外展到一个更多元化的社区？为什么能或为什么不能？我们的教会有新人来吗？他们还会再来吗？为什么再来或为什么不再来？我们在传福音时，不要让任何障碍阻挡我们，这一点很重要。
祷告：主耶稣，我祷告自己永远也不要说或者做任何阻挡福音的话或者事情。愿你的话语在这个世界自由传播、畅行无阻。我如此祈求是奉你的名。阿们。
1 Corinthians 9: But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 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.
There was a reason that Paul preached without taking money. He didn’t want that to stand in the way of the gospel. So he preached for nothing. It’s sad that some in Corinth saw this weakness and held Paulup for criticism for doing so.
We should take note of an important principle when it comes to preaching the gospel. We should proclaim it for free. Pastors do not charge for their counseling. We shouldn’t charge for weddings and funerals. And it’s important for a congregation to pay its pastor adequately so that he is not tempted to use his office to augment his income. Preaching the gospel should be like God’s grace. It’s free!
What stands in the way of our proclaiming the gospel? We should ask that question often. Are we able to reach out to a diverse community? Why or why not? Do we have a good reputation in the community? Why or why not? Do we have visitors in our church? Do they come back a second time? Why or why not? It is important that we do not have barriers that prevent us from proclaiming the gospel.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that I will never say or do anything that will hinder the gospel. Let your Word have free course throughout the world. I ask this in your name. Amen.