I Corinthians 7:24

Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God (NKJ)

Then: There's no way around it. This is Paul's main point. Stay where you are. Serve where you are. Don't initiate change until the Lord calls you elsewhere. Even then, follow his directions and don't rush ahead. The Lord's servant was bought with a price and owes a great debt. He is therefore obligated to do as directed. Even more, abiding brings in thoughts of home and family, the place where one lives (Phillips, p. 156). Christ lives in the homes of believers. That makes serving the Lord a full-time, all day occupation. You don't just go to work, do the Lord's will, come home, and do your own will. Abide. Even in the Corinthian world that meant 24/7.

Now: Another way to describe Paul's teaching is to use the modern prhase of "If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade." Paul doesn't really explain the "why" of his principle, but years of using it bring believers to a realization of its results. It also brings to mind Paul's teaching about the Lord's grace enveloping the homes and nations occupied by believers (see chapter 7, verse 14). Everyone in the area is blessed in the same way that a little salt flavors the whole pot of stew. Some believe that Paul's discussion of circumcision and social status are a digression. They do not see it as an extension of his principle of "Staying where called." Those who think about the verse and are called according to eternal purpose delight in using the principle and discovering God's wisdom and intent.

Extra source: Exploring 1 Corinthians: an expository commentary by John Phillips. Grand Rapids MI: Kregel Publications, c2002. http://books.google.com/books?id=c4F0l2b1QnkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=1+Corinthians+and+Phillips&source=bl&ots=NVKHtw_lSu&sig=JuRG1-pmT2bK7O0KAZUDxClRUpo&hl=en&ei=CTXPS9nwMpTC8wS5mrHCDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CA8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false