11. We have planted spiritual seed among you. Is it too much to ask that we receive from you some of the things we need?
12. Others have the right to receive help from you. Don't we have even more right to do so? But we didn't use that right. No, we have put up with everything. We didn't want to keep the good news of Christ from spreading.
13. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple? Don't you know that those who serve at the altar eat from what is offered on the altar?
14. In the same way, those who preach the good news should receive their living from their work. That is what the Lord has commanded.
15. But I haven't used any of those rights. And I'm not writing because I hope you will do things like that for me. I would rather die than have anyone take away my pride in my work.
16. But when I preach the good news, I can't brag. I have to preach it. How terrible it will be for me if I do not preach the good news!
17. If I preach because I want to, I get a reward. If I preach because I have to, I'm only doing my duty.