SACRIFICE OF RIGHTS

SACRIFICE OF RIGHTS

“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a spiritual harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?  But we did not use this right. On the contrary we put up with everything rather than hinder the cause of Christ.”

-1 Corinthians 9:11-12

The legal system based on democratic principles is protective of individual rights. When the law guarantees a certain right one may claim enforcement or invoke protection of such right. The system of justice is rights based. Controversies would involve the assertion and enforcement of a right against a violation or invasion of such right. The law guarantees entitlement. We all have a natural sense of entitlement.

 

The Apostle Paul, himself a brilliant lawyer,  a Pharisee, in his discourse referred to a particular right to which he was entitled under the (Jewish) law. He said that under the religious law, he who preached the gospel, those who served in the Temple have the right to be supported and provided with their needs from the offerings in the altar. This was a legal right.

 

But the Apostle said   that as a servant of God he did not use any of these rights. He refused to claim entitlement to this right for the cause of Christ. He did not want this right to be a burden which would hinder the advance of the Gospel. He would instead make sacrifices and give up certain rights for the cause of the Gospel.

 

Very few people, if not hardly anyone, today have the same attitude as  St. Paul had. We cannot suffer being wronged. We cannot sacrifice our rights; we demand justice. The law gives us a sense of entitlement. It is hard indeed to deal with opposing rights and clashing interests. But where there is humility,  and self sacrifice there is peace.

 

This great Apostle speaking to the believers, said, “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged?  Why not rather be cheated? “ (1 Corinthians 6:7)

This is one exhortation which is hard to swallow. But think about it.  Try to imagine if we do this. Judges might be driven out of work.