Workers Rights

The summer season signals the start of circuses around the world. Most people in Japan are familiar with modern circuses like the Kinoshita Circus. Circuses have changed a lot over the years.

The Biggest Draw

What makes a circus attractive?

A bright red big top?
Funny clowns?
Animal tricks? 
Elephants?

Kinoshita circus president Tadashi Kinoshita believes the performers’ courage to face challenges is actually the biggest draw. 

Spoken from experience as a former circus acrobat, Kinoshita fought back from a broken neck to lead the longest-running family-owned circus in Japan. Many people really enjoy the circus.

Circus Critics

Others see dangerous human acts on display in vein…animals forcibly trained in some cases…exploited for entertainment purposes. They’d say workers’ and animal rights are being violated.

Let’s explore workers’ rights in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:1-14

The word right is repeated 5 times in chapter 9 and means the power of choice; liberty of doing as one pleases.

We know that Corinth was the leading city of Achaia. Achaia was a Roman province so Corinthians were legally free to juggle as many kinds of pleasure and entertainment as they desired.

Surely not all their entertainment was sinful, but a lot definitely was.

As a major trade city, Corinth had a lot of people passing through it and even hosted something similar to the Olympics called the Isthmus games.

A Circus in Corinth?

Interestingly enough, a discovery was made in Greece just over 1,900 years later in 1967, a long and narrow structure (the “Apsidal Building”) was dug up where Corinth used to be. History holds that Corinth actually held a circus here, including chariot races, gladiatorial, and other dramatic events.

So, workers’ rights were called into question through entertainment that promoted violence at the expense of contestant life and limb, all for the pleasure of Corinthian spectators.

They had the freedom to choose and juggle these flaming torches of temptation.

Temporarily mesmerizing and pleasing to the eyes and the flesh these fanged torches strike with deathly venom, drop to the dirt, and slither back to their deceptive charmer. 

They fall far short of God’s call to relationship in Christ.  Moses chose the better way.

We can too.

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Hebrews 11:24-25

Paul wanted the Corinthians to know the love he had for them. The good shepherd, Jesus Christ made this possible. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Not stuff. Not fun. Not frills or thrills as the end game, but abundant life. 

A life that’s been set free to follow Christ—not merely our own pleasures.  Following without fears of:

• loss
• others opinions
• sickness
• death

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:18

Fear God–He is Love

Nothing can separate you from the good shepherd. The abundant life he gives is better than anyone and anything else could ever attempt to be. 

Eternity Changing Freedom

Jesus Christ grants Christians eternity-changing freedom that starts in this life. Don’t waste it chasing fun. Don’t clown around, unless that’s your job.

Fun Things or The Best Thing?

As a free Roman citizen, Paul traveled at will working as a tentmaker. He could have also pursued fun things at the expense of pursuing the best thing: responding to God’s call to love him and others because he had been set free from sin by Jesus Christ.

Shameful Testing

Paul was called by Christ as an apostle, freely serving the Corinthians at his own expense, and yet he was being examined by super-apostles. They accused Paul of being weak and having no presence; a target to test and shame through their accusations.

They were trained speakers; slick tongued entertainers with stage presence, drawing and holding the Corinthians’ attention. Taking money and causing the Corinthians to question the biblical teaching Paul labored to lay down. 

Freely serving the Corinthians, Paul was reinforcing his biblical teaching through his actions when present with the Corinthians. We should love people that way too, in word and action.

Paul specifically taught them to escape the lofty opinions, high arguments, and wayward thoughts raised against the knowledge of God. 

These opinions, arguments, and thoughts can magically masquerade in our minds like little performers pirouetting on high wires.

Tightropes of Temptation

We face these same shaky “tightropes of temptation” when we trust in:
• man-made pedigrees,
• boasting in what we have,
• boasting about what we’ve done, and
• making comparisons between people. 

These things promote pride, rather than Christ-honoring love for God and others. These temptations were common to the Corinthians and they’re common to us as well. 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Acrobats test themselves by practicing at lower heights before swinging from higher places. And that makes sense. 

Unnecessary Testing

Paul, on the other hand, was facing a test he didn’t need to take forced on him by these ferocious ringmasters. God called Paul and equipped him for his unique apostleship.

God blinded him and then made him see God’s purpose for his life. Jesus, speaking to Ananias about Saul, soon to be the Apostle Paul said:

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.

Acts 9:15-16

3 Ring Circus

As one of the original apostles, Paul: 

• saw God do miracles
• perform many healings
• as Paul carried the name of Jesus.

And yet this unwarranted examination of his apostleship was a 3 ring circus comprised of: 

1. super apostles
2. their accusations and
3. Paul’s defense of his apostleship

Paul lived out the things he taught the Corinthians when present with them. He didn’t seek their money or possessions, he sought them.

They should have been commending Paul, yet they were deceived and devoured by these false apostles.

Paul’s Response

Pulling back the curtain of this Corinthian 3 ring circus, we’ll see Paul’s answers to:

1. the super-apostles
2. the thrusting swords of their accusations thrown at Paul’s life and
3. the defense of his apostolic ministry to carry out his calling in Christ

4 Binary Questions

Paul fires off 4 yes/no questions, that he turns around and tames with one question. He asks:

1. Am I not free?
2. Am I not an apostle?
3. Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
4. Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

The Seal of Paul’s Apostleship

Paul answered: you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Seal means genuineness in the original language.

So, the proof of people, in this case, is genuine. Paul wasn’t alone. His calling as an apostle, meaning a delegate, messenger, or one sent forth with orders, wasn’t a solitary journey.

The Source of Paul’s Defense

In defense of this ministry, he held out his hands to the Corinthian Christians with six questions.

1. Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 
2. Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 
3. Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 
4. Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? 
5. Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? 
6. Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

Finally, Paul pulls back the tent cover of his authoritative source with 2 final questions. He asks:  

1. Do I say these things on human authority? Answer…No
2. Does not the Law say the same? Yes it does. 

For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.”

1 Corinthians 9:9

Living by the Gospel

So, Paul is laying down the truth that those who proclaim the gospel, or good news, of Jesus Christ, should get their living by the gospel. 

And then just when we get a feel for the show, this crazed 3 ring circus takes a very strange turn.

Michael Howes, the animal trainer from the Kinoshita Circus had this to say about the strange circus life: “It’s very strange for people to see this life we have here, but unless you’re in it, it’s very hard to understand.”

Laying Down Rights

I wonder how many Corinthians really understood what Paul gave up by not making use of his right to earn a living by proclaiming the gospel. 

Genuine apostles were not the main attraction in Paul’s day. They were more like scum.
They faced many trials. 

As an apostle, Paul was familiar with jumping through rings of fiery trials. From countless physical beatings, and fears, to being snatched from the jaws of near death. Paul suffered many things. 

The apostle Peter wrote, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 4:12

The World’s Spectacle

Apostles were in the strange place of being on display as a spectacle to the world.
For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

Being on display is strange. But even that spectacle was included as a part of enduring anything for the sake of the gospel.
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Now, an obstacle is “a hindrance” think of it as “cutting in” line. Paul didn’t burden the Corinthians by butting in line and drawing the crowd to himself. He could have made full use of his right in the gospel to earn a living. 

But he didn’t.  

You can tell a lot about a man by what he doesn’t take…even if it’s rightfully his to have. 

I have a friend who purposely left behind a substantial amount of money he raised to support the local church. When he left to plant another one, he left it all behind in hopes of a smooth leadership transition.

Money that he had worked to fundraise to be able to preach the gospel. It was rightfully his to direct and steward. 

Money that a brand new church plant in Tokyo could have used to support the work of the gospel. Tokyo is arguably the 5th most expensive city in the world. 

He wasn’t willing to hinder the work of the gospel through this church. Likewise, Paul wasn’t in the Corinthians’ lives to cut in line.  

The Lord’s mercy draws us to repentance through the majestic gospel. It wasn’t for Paul to divert traffic from the main attraction of the gospel.

Paul wasn’t willing to turn his back on his boast in the gospel. He saw Jesus and knew the credit for the gospel belonged to God. Paul remembered his call in Christ. That no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:29

We need more than a man to be the showstopper. The Son of God is the main attraction: Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven, born of a virgin. He is fully God and fully man. Jesus Christ secured salvation for those who trust him.

The sin of the world crushed Jesus on Calvary’s cross. Jesus’ empty hands were stretched out, committing his spirit into the Father’s hands, so that those who believe in Him could believe in his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven where he lives praying for Christians.

Jesus set aside his rights and remained empty-handed so he could fulfill the Father’s command and come for you.  

“Circus Powers” for a Day

I won’t assume you love the circus, but please bear with me. If you were granted temporary “circus powers” for a day to perform any dazzling feat, what would you choose?

Remember now, performers must move an audience. Personally, I think being shot out of a canon would be cool…like one time (not sure about a day of that 🙂

Does anything interesting come to mind?

Jesus chose more than a cannonball to the stomach. He was slaughtered and then raised to life 3 days later. 

Obscure Spectacle

The greatest feat ever involved zero fun and loads of torment. He became an obscure spectacle outside the city, on a cross.

Imagine if you were the son of God (that’s obviously not true for any of us, of course,) but just imagine in your obedience: 

• to the Father’s command 
• to be born miraculously of a virgin, 
• live a perfectly sinless life, 
• die a horrific death for the sins of the world and 
• rise to life 3 days later. 

Consider 2 questions:

1. What did Jesus leave?  
2. What was rightfully his, that he didn’t hold onto?

Jesus Left Behind

1. Jesus left beauty

Would you have left your right to beauty?

“he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.”

Isaiah 53:2

Jesus did.

We know that Jesus didn’t seek majesty and dignity or honor of men while in this world because he asked the Father to glorify him with his rightful glory. 

The glory Jesus knew from eternity before the world existed. So we know that Jesus didn’t seek beauty while in this world. But as the Son of God, it was his right to have.

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

John 17:4-5

Is Jesus’ present beauty in heaven beyond description? Does his glory take our breath away? We don’t have to guess. The Lord of glory, Jesus Christ reveals a glimpse of his majestic beauty in Revelation to the apostle John.

The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength

Revelation 1:14-16

Notice John’s repeated use of the word “like”. When something is beyond description it’s easier to make comparisons. 

Jesus’ heavenly home is like the most ornate mansion imaginable…but infinity better!

2. Jesus left home

Would you have left your rightful heavenly home, as the King of all Kings, to walk on earth?

Jesus did.

3. Jesus left constant worship

Would you have left the adoration of powerful supernatural beings worshipping you incessantly?
Jesus did. 

4. Jesus left family and friends to die for his enemies

Would you have laid down your lifeblood for wicked enemies, while your family and friends watch? 

Jesus laid it down.

A Checkered Past

Paul was a blasphemer, reviler breathing out murderous threats against Christians before believing in Jesus. 

Every Christian was also an enemy of Jesus before believing in him. Jesus died for his enemies.    

Jesus Christ, the Son of God was the only one who emptied himself of beauty, left his beautiful home, and left constant worship to die for his enemies while his family watched.

Jesus said, I am the good shepherd; and I know my own, and my own know me, even as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; 

Believing in the main attraction of the gospel begs the question:

What rights will we give up for the gospel?

But there’s another thought. One that motivates us to answer that.

God Rewards Christians Who Seek Him

What do we hope to share in for eternity? God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him!

Jesus was charged by the Father to lay aside his life and take it up again. For the joy set before him he endured the cross.

So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

John 10:17-29

The gospel is greater than our rights because Jesus is greater than anything this life offers!  

Something unimaginably better is coming in eternity because Jesus left all to secure it.  He motivates our endurance as Christians during this life. So, we can carry on.

Wayne