1 Corinthians 8-14

Paul starts off by explaining that the culture is to believe in many gods.  He says this is wrong and that as Christians we should believe in only one god.  This is counter-cultural for the time, since this is not what the majority of the people believed and it was not generally accepted.  Besides God, Paul explains there is also the Christ who is Jesus.  He then goes on to rejoice in his Christian liberty.  He says "Am I not an Apostle? Am I not free?" (9:1) This is seems to suggest that by believing in Christ and by following Him, we gain freedom.  Paul continues to preach the gospel to all people.  He literally gives his life to this cause.  What is his reward for this?  He explains that "when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge." (4:18) He then goes on to explain that while Christ has made him free, he has yet made himself the servant to all those he preaches to.  
God seems to expect so much from those who decide to follow Him.  Paul gave up everything to preach His word to all men.  God expects us as Christians to give up worldly desires and to follow Him in whatsoever thing He asks us.  At times it can seem like too much is expected, but Paul gives us encouragement in 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  We see that our God is a kind, loving God who does not give us trials to break us, but instead test us.  And in these trials He is always there and will guide and help us as long as we live as He would have us and keep faith in Him.  
Paul then talks about the importance of charity.  He says that all other gifts and powers are worthless unless you have charity.  He even says acts of kindness are nothing if they are not done with charity.  Paul says that charity suffers and bears all things. He also says that if you have charity you can hope for all things.  Paul ends again by emphasizing the importance of charity.