The Price is Right

Written By Betty Predmore

1 CORINTHIANS 9: 1-18

(August 14)

I used to love to watch the television game show "The Price is Right". The first thrill would be to be sitting in the audience and hear your name called, followed by "Come on down!" What an exciting moment!

The game is simple. You just have to know the price of every single item presented to you. (Or get as close as you can to the price.) And if you're very, very lucky, you just might hear these words at the end of the round, "A new car!!!"

I have recreated that game and hosted it numerous times at retreats and other functions. It is actually amazing how some people can guess the price of something. Especially when you go to a unique store and find unique items. Very fun, indeed.

In Paul's message today, he is challenging the Corinthians about the price of his teaching of the Good News.

Paul received a bit of support from patrons like Lydia, but he mostly seemed to prefer to support himself. (If you remember, he was a tentmaker.)

The Corinthians had observed other teachers accepting payment for their services. When Paul would not, it caused them to question the authenticity of his apostleship. His price wasn't right for his service. I mean, who does all that for nothing, right?

Paul defends the right of the ministry to receive wages for their services. He firmly believes that those who preach and teach deserve to be compensated for their work. He gives some examples to help them clearly see his message:

"What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn't have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn't allowed to drink some of the milk?" (verse 7)

Paul is telling them that he has the right to be supported by them because of the work he is doing. And so do the other teachers. The difference is that Paul CHOOSES not to take that support. He didn't want to be accused of benefitting financially from his teachings. "Free of charge" meant "free from all men", making him able to preach ONLY be obedience to Christ, not by monetary gain.

According to Paul, the only payment he needed was the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. When Paul heard Jesus say, "Come on Down!" he knew what price would be right.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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