Tag Archives: Sharing our Gifts

Greater Gifts

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.

Generosity

Living in the Spirit
June 28, 2018

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it. –2 Corinthians 8:7-11

This scripture strikes me as being akin to the quarterly report of one’s pledge, gently reminded us if we have fulfilled the obligation we had made at the beginning of the year. My church’s monthly finance report carries the percentage of offerings received to date. By policy, our pastors are not informed of people’s pledges or whether they meet them or not, so they cannot test the genuineness of their [congregants] love as Paul says he wants to do. The reminder letters are prepared by administrative staff and sent by the Chair of the Finance Committee. I have no problem with this accountability, although I always know if I am late with giving. My mother was a tither and fulfilling our family’s commitment was a high priority to her. Her commitment was to God not to the church. The church was simply the conduit of her gift. She worked equally hard at assuring that the church used God’s gifts wisely. Thus, the responsibility to support God’s work via the church is engrained in my DNA.

If we make a commitment to God, we need to fulfill the commitment, according to Paul. I concur with that also. It is thus important that we understand the commitments we make. At another church which my church helps support whose membership primarily includes people who are homeless or are in the first stages of moving out of homelessness. This congregation receives an offering each week and in the instructions, the pastor tells them, if they have no money to give they are invited to touch one of their hands on the inside of the plate as it passes. The movement acknowledges the gift of their life, their whole being to God. We probably all should include that in our rituals of giving.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in the wise use of our resources in your service, all our resources. 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.