Text: 1 Corinthians 9:12-23
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” —1 Corinthians 9:22
In this moment I am drinking a cup of coffee with olive oil and cream. I just wanted to taste it for myself after reading that the world’s largest coffee chain is launching a line of olive oil-infused drinks in Italy. Starbucks is among the major U.S. businesses that have faced obstacles as they’ve tried to expand into the Italian food and drinks market. Italy’s coffee scene is famous for its independent and often family-run cafes, so the brand is not easily accepted.
It’s a bold move to reach the coffee market in Italy. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz seems determined to make it a success. I can appreciate his approach in saying, “We are not coming to teach Italians how to make coffee. We’re coming here with humility and respect, to show what we’ve learned.”
Imagine what kind of influence followers of Jesus could have in their everyday mission field if they were as motivated to reach people with the Gospel as Schultz is to reach every tribe of people with coffee. Schultz seems to have that Apostle Paul-like “whatever it takes” determination and the humble approach that doesn’t come across as condescending to the people he longs to reach.
Consider Paul’s missional zeal in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23…
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
Paul sought to win people to Jesus Christ by being sensitive to them culturally and identifying with them in his Gospel appeal. Paul was willing to do whatever it takes to reach people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He also understood that our methodology is equally as important as the message itself. By accepting the fact that Paul appealed to different groups depending on the context doesn’t mean that we should assume he changed his doctrine. We know from his complete collection of writings that he was willing to offend people over the gospel, but only over the gospel, and not his approach or methodology.
Paul was free to do what he wanted (v. 19), but winning people to Jesus was far more important to him than using his freedom selfishly (v. 22). A condescending Christian isn’t going to have much influence in the world. Perhaps Paul would tip his hat to Mr. Schultz for his “all things to all people” approach. If he were going on a mission trip to Italy, he might even drink a cup of olive oil-infused coffee. Perhaps.
What might it look like in your life this week to be “all things to all people, that by all means” the people around you could have a viable opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Forget about all the cultural wars on social media, especially those sub-culture wars between Christians themselves arguing over which celebrity Christians are kosher and which ones need to be canceled, and just zero in on JESUS and the Good News He wants to emanate from your life. How is that to be fleshed out this week in you personally? In your day-to-day context? Think about it as you seek to abide in Him.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, everywhere I set foot is a mission field in which I need to be mindful about my approach in reaching others with the Gospel and appealing to them with the unadulterated Good News of Who Jesus is. Give me a passion for evangelism that is greater than Schultz’s passion to propagate coffee. Holy Spirit, empower me with boldness in my witness and guide me with wisdom in my approach, I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Application or Group Discussion:
- Have you ever tried olive oil in your coffee? If so, what do you think about it?
- What similarities do you see with Schultz’s mission and Paul’s mission?
- How would you describe the passion of Paul, and why is it relevant to the church today?
- Why is it important to share the Gospel with humility, “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15)?
- Have you lost your passion for the lost? Has “bad” evangelism diminished your enthusiasm for “pure” and biblical evangelism? How can you reclaim that missional passion for reaching the gospel-destitute around you with the Good News of Jesus?