Becoming All Things to All People to Win Some
July 9
Paul was sold out for the Gospel. He asks the Corinthians if he was not worthy of their financial support. In fact, he spends twenty-four verses covering reasons that he has given up so much in order to win the lost. But he never put anyone on the spot, begging for their financial support for his ministry. J. Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China, famously said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
If that is true, what does that say about the frequent support letters that show up in your mailbox (or your email box)? Could it be that those individuals and ministries that constantly beg for money either aren’t doing God’s work, or they aren’t doing it God’s way? Yes, money is necessary to accomplish God’s work. And God provides those funds so that His work can be done. He provides those funds by moving in the hearts of His people. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalm 50:10) Sometimes, we just need to ask Him to slaughter one. But we know that God’s children don’t need to beg for bread. (Psalm 37:25) God promises to supply all of our needs according to His riches and glory. (Philippians 4:19)
Early Nineteenth-century evangelist, George Mueller cared for 10,024 orphans during his lifetime, however, he never asked anyone for support. Whenever he had a ministry need, he prayed. And miraculously, God provided everything he needed when it was needed, sometimes only a few hours ahead of time. For example, one day a milk cart broke down right by the orphanage, and the orphans were given the milk, lest it spoil and be wasted.
Paul says that he had become all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)
Rather than posting a banner stating, “Come and hear!” Paul clearly followed Jesus’ commission to “go and tell”. (Matthew 28:18–20) All too often, churches have taken a “come and hear” approach, expecting the world to come to us and become like us. However, Paul turned this idea on its head. Paul was not only an Apostle, he was also an evangelist. And he was willing to do whatever it took to reach lost people. Paul was willing to change his methods, but never his message so that he could accommodate everyone with the life-changing Gospel.
Application
Do you have a “whatever it takes” attitude toward reaching the lost? What changes in your methods would it take to reach people in your circle of influence? What changes in your church’s methods would it take to reach people in your community? Perhaps you could pray about it, and involve your church’s leadership to join you in praying about how you could partner with God in answering that prayer.