In I Corinthians 9, Paul is speaking on the issue of freedom. He is very clear that those who work in gospel ministry, as he does, should earn a wage for it (9:1-14). So he affirms the ‘right’ of everyone who works at proclaiming the gospel to receive a financial reward. No one works without the hope of some sort of payment, including ministry.
While Paul affirms the ‘right’ of everyone proclaiming the gospel to get paid he also subjects that right, along with all his other rights, in order to reach more people. Love for people is what remains constant even to the point where Paul’s life may seem inconsistent.
Paul’s stance on his pay reveals a bigger issue of how we use the freedoms we have as Christians for the sake of loving others.
So Paul’s posture is not, what ‘right’ do I have or what can I do with my freedom? This boils down to what do I want and still fits into the category that God is okay with. But his posture is ‘how can I better reach people for the gospel’ and this is a very different starting point. The second question is not self-oriented but begins with what is God asking in the gospel? This is why 
self-control is so important in loving others. We can’t love others until we get past what our own desires are. I have to think about the relationships God has me in (I Cor. 7:17) and consider how I can lay down my life (biblical definition of love) for those people.
Some examples of freedoms I have but I might give up in order to be more effective for the gospel:
- What coffee shop should I go to today?
Self focused: What’s the most convenient? Who has the best coffee?
Gospel focused: Which shop have I begun to build relationships with people?
Am I free to go to any coffee shop? Yes, but I restrict that freedom for the sake of the gospel.
- I am driving my children around in our car, what music should I listen to?
Self-focused: I really want to listen to the new Bon Iver album.
Gospel focused: What children’s music can I listen to that will help advance the gospel in my children’s lives (Steve Green has been a favorite of our family).
Am I free as a Christian to listen to any music I want? Yes, but I restrict that freedom to love my children.
Bravo Matt. Two excellent examples of what it means “to give preference in honor.” Well done. Yes, “I restrict my freedom [with joy] to love my children [and raise up a godly heritage for a generation I may not live to see].