13 Don't you know that people who work in the temple make their living from what is brought to the temple? Don't you know that a person who serves at the altar is given part of what is offered?
14 In the same way, the Lord wants everyone who preaches the good news to make a living from preaching this message.
15 But I have never used these privileges of mine, and I am not writing this because I want to start now. I would rather die than let someone rob me of the right to take pride in this.
16 I don't have any reason to boast about preaching the good news. Preaching is something God told me to do, and if I don't do it, I am doomed.
17 If I preach because I want to, I will be paid. But even if I don't want to, it is still something God has sent me to do.
18 What pay am I given? It is the chance to preach the good news free of charge and not to use the privileges that are mine because I am a preacher.
19 I am not anyone's slave. But I have become a slave to everyone, so that I can win as many people as possible.