Jesus’ Ministry
January 25, 2019

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. –1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Of course, this scripture is the precursor to 1 Corinthians 13, known as the love chapter where love is described as the more excellent way.  What does Paul mean by the phrase But strive for the greater gifts?

We have probably all experienced at one time or another doing something for which we do not have the greatest skills because it needs to be done to reach an important outcome and no one with the right skills is available or does not make themselves available to do what needed to be done. On rare occasions, by doing something alien to me, I discovered tasks that I could do well and enjoyed doing them. Generally, though the world would run more smoothly, if the best person for a job, did the job. How do we enable people to discover their skills and talents and then how do we encourage them to use them toward building a better world?

When assisting women who had never worked but found themselves in a life situation that required them to learn to work, it is necessary to translate skills like house keeping and raising children into marketable talent. Many such women lack the self-esteem to think they can do some tasks even though they have demonstrated through their routines of daily living good skills.

How did we learn to work? In most instances work habits are garnered from watching one’s parents work. What happens when one’s lacks that experience?

How do people of faith learn to live their faith in word and in deed? How do we teach the ways of God to those who have never experienced it or sometimes to those who experienced religion as a very negative part of their life? How do we strive to not only for our greater gifts but to help all of God’s children strive for their greater gifts?

Prayer: Lord, make us blessings to those in search of their greater gifts. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.