Love in Gifting

 1 Corinthians 12:4-5

Today's reading is probably some of the most familiar words from the New Testament. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud." These words are as beautiful as they are challenging. But, now remember that Paul is correcting the Corinthians on their use of their spiritual gifts. Now re-read these words. "Love is patient, love is kind." What is the original understanding of these words. The fact that whatever kind of messed up church services the Corinthians were having, they were using their Spirit born gifts in ways that were not patient or kind. They were likely boasting and being prideful over the very gifts the Spirit had given them! Just take that in for a moment. The Corinthians were likely boasting and being prideful over something they had no power over. They had been given a gift, but it did not come from them. The problem is once a person has a gift, we start to see them as their gift. We still do the same thing today. As a pastor, I can tell you I get treated this way quite often. People often have a hard time separating my life as a husband, father, and Christian man from my calling and gifting as a pastor/teacher. My gift is one that puts me in the forefront of the Church so there is a temptation to see the person using the gift as somehow "greater" than other believers. This is the same problem the Corinthians had. The gifts are given to people and if we aren't careful, we blur the lines and forget the difference. Notice what Paul says next, he reminds the Corinthians that the love they are supposed to be experiencing is not self-seeking, keeps no records of wrongs, and doesn't not dishonor others. Clearly, it is possible to be doing all of these things with one's spiritual gift if the Apostle is correcting them for it. We today must be careful to not allow those who are operating in their Spiritual Gifts to act like this, nor should we act this way towards them. We should seek to use our gifts in a way that shows the patience, kindness, humility, and concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Prayer: 
Jesus my King, I want to love people that way You did. Please help me to see with eyes of faith and hear with ears of compassion to show Your kind of love to all those I come in contact with. Lead me towards love my King, I am ready to follow You. Amen. 

Reflection: 
How can you show someone love using your spiritual gift this week?