In 1 Cor 9, Paul discusses "rights of apostleship". First, he teaches that the body of Christ is obligated to support, care for, and fairly compensate our spiritual leaders. Paul gave up many of his "rights" ( to be compensated, to hospitality, to be married), in order to focus on living for Christ and winning others to Christ. Paul explains that he lives this way, not so that he can boast, but because he feels compelled by God. He says that his only compensation is the satisfaction he receives from preaching the Good News without expense or obligation to people. Clearly, Paul's life goals were to live for Christ and to bring people to Christ. In conclusion of this chapter, Paul discusses these goals with an illustration of a race. Paul explains that living your life for Christ ("run in such a way") requires discipline and self-control. Preaching and leading others to Christ takes a lot of time, training ,work, and energy. Paul talks of fear that if he doesn't live in such a way, that he could lose his privilege of telling others about Christ ( "that I myself might be disqualified"). In other words, he was concerned about practicing what he preached. Consider your life goals. Do they lead toward an eternal, imperishable reward?