GIFTS EVERYONE WANTS

With five kids we have had a lot of birthday parties over the years. One of the most ‘eye opening’ times at these annual events was present time. Inevitably it seemed that one gift would always stand out among the others as that year’s most wanted. When this gift was opened all the kids would all ‘oohh’ and ‘aahh’ over it. They would say things like, “I want one of those,” or “Can I see it?” And of course the giver of the gift would proudly announce “I got that.”

Paul had to talk with the Corinthians about spiritual gifts. He didn’t want them to be ignorant about them, or dare I say it, act like children. It seems everyone wanted what they thought were the most important gifts and they overlooked other gifts as trivial.

Now that my children are getting older I can safely admit that some of the birthday gifts they received were unnecessary. The life of these gifts was short lived and it wouldn’t take long for me to find it abandoned and neglected. Thus it would go the way of all things and end up somewhere in a landfill.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand that when it came to spiritual gifts there was no such thing as an unnecessary gift. Every gift plays an important part in the body of Christ because without these seemingly unimportant gifts where would the body be? As Paul asked, “If the whole body were an eye where would the sense of hearing be?” No single part of the body can say to others, “I don’t need you.” Every part of the body serves a purpose and is “indispensable.” (See 1 Corinthians 12:17-22) After emphasizing the importance of every gift, I find it interesting that Paul ends this chapter the way he does.

• But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
  And now I will show you the most excellent way.
  1 Corinthians 12:31 (NIV)

Paul actually encourages the Corinthians to covet spiritual gifts! When it comes to your kids or mine coveting each other’s birthday presents such desire is not a good thing, but when it comes to spiritual gifts we are encouraged to yearn for more! Aahh but don’t overlook “the most excellent way.” What is that way? We’ll have to keep reading the next chapter, but for now lets just say that we’re not supposed to fight over spiritual gifts like children fight over toys. If we do the gifts become useless because we aren’t to desire the gift for ourselves but as a blessing for the entire body. What do you think?