I have become all things to all, to save at least some. Following, and connected to his treatise on meat sacrificed to idols, Paul lectures the community on the importance of self-denial and sacrifice. It appears that Paul has come under heavy criticism for how he has been handling himself in his relation to the community. Paul’s authenticity is on the line: is he a true apostle? If he is, why is it that he is not charging fees for his services? Is he offering his services for free because he is a fake apostle? Everybody knows that those who work in a position such as his (priests, shrine attendants, preachers) receive some form of compensation for their services. Moreover, anybody in a position such as he is claiming set themselves apart from the community (recall how the crowds in Iconium planned to enthrone Paul and Barnabas as gods following the healing of a cripple…cf. Acts 14:8-18). Paul defends his actions, insisting that his lifestyle should not be used to judge his authenticity. He is a true apostle, a preacher of the good news. Did he too not see the Lord? As an apostle, he too has rights (to be compensated as well as a family to go back to after his ministry). However, he chose to forego these rights for the good of the community. He chose to renounce such privileges because of his love for the community. 
He/she who chooses to be baptized and to be inserted into a community of the baptized chooses  de facto to let go of some rights. He/she does so, not because the rights he/she is letting go have lost their relevance, but because of the love of the community. He/she who is baptized becomes all things for all. This should ring true especially to those in leadership positions (such as Paul was) for otherwise winning over every member of the community becomes impossible.