The culture of the Greek seaport city of Corinth (like that of Rome, the empire’s capital—and like ours) urged people to fight their way to the “top spot,” and to trample anyone who got in their way. Humanly, we tend to see relationships like a pyramid, with the most important place and person on the point at the top. But the apostle Paul said the church was NOT like a pyramid. Instead, he said, every member of the church was important in doing God’s work.

• We may think God only gives “churchy” gifts, like singing, praying, or working with kids. The book Understanding Spiritual Gifts said, “We often overlook our “everyday” human attributes like having a strong back or being able to repair machines or grow flowers. Some of us can organize; some can do accounting; some can greet people warmly and make them feel welcome; some can make plants grow. Think about such natural abilities and how God might use them.” Are you overlooking any of your gifts as “too ordinary”?
• Paul introduced this subject by writing, “Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.” Why not? What’s the downside to the church of having many of its members not serving in any way, or serving in ways that God hasn’t gifted them to serve? What’s the downside for the people involved?

Prayer: Giving God, you have given me gifts, and called me to use them to do your work on this earth. Guide me as I seek to discover, develop and use these gifts for your glory. Amen.