Paul the Apostle was called by God to bring the message of Jesus to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15, Rom. 1:5). He also deliberately shared with the Jews when possible (Acts 9:20-22, 13:14-15, 17:2-4). Paul’s writings in 1 Cor. 9:19-23 reveal his perspective about serving others. He realizes that he is free but deliberately gives up rights for the purpose of winning as many as possible to Christ. To the Jews, he became like a Jew. To those who do not have the law, Paul became like one of them, though he realized he was still under Christ’s law. Although Paul was not weak, he became like the weak in order to win them. He concludes by declaring that he became all things to all humans, so he will be able to save some by all possible means. Paul did not become exactly like those he served, but he became similar to them in certain ways. This involved deliberately setting aside rights and privileges he had. Some of these rights were as a Roman citizen, as a Jewish person, and as one who is an honored leader. Paul was willing to become “small” so that others could know Jesus and become “large” in him. Cross-cultural workers today should be willing to give up certain rights to serve others.

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Those serving in Muslim contexts may be called upon to give up certain rights and privileges. For instance, they may choose to give up eating pork and drinking alcohol to gain more access to Muslims and be seen as spiritual people by them. This can be a real sacrifice for some. People may choose to give up their “rights” to wearing certain clothing and rather adopt more Muslim-style clothing. By choosing to live in a Muslim area or in a certain country, they may deliberately give up privileges or conveniences they enjoyed while living in their home area (food, entertainment, shopping, good Christian teaching, etc.). Workers in Muslim areas may deny themselves certain rights for the same purpose Paul did—to, by all possible means, win as many as possible to Jesus. These actions require commitment but are part of the privilege of serving God.