“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible” (1 Corinthians 9:19).
It is important for us to know what business we are in. People who work in the computer industry are actually in the information business. People who work for a phone company are in the communication business. Sometimes we as Christians think we are in the “theology” business. It is important that we know what we believe and communicate it accurately, but our business is people. Paul described our common goal. It is that we “win as many as possible.”
The key to our ability to win people to Christ is our attitude toward those we want to influence. It is possible to be a Christian and react negatively toward people who need Christ. Anger and hostility won’t reach anyone. Paul followed the example of Jesus and loved people.
In this passage he described for us the philosophy that made him such an effective witness for Christ. He was a brilliant thinker and an exceptional teacher. However, his passion was people. When Paul wrote, “I make myself a slave to everyone,” he used an expression that paints an interesting picture. The verb in the phrase “make myself a slave” is translated as “addicted” in Titus 2:3.
Paul knew what God wants each of us to know. We’re in the people business. With all of Paul’s unique gifts he was, above all, addicted to people. Being addicted to people means that we don’t reach out to them with judgment and condemnation. We touch them with love and a desire to introduce them to Jesus. He has changed our lives and we want them to receive the peace and salvation we have found.
