I Corinthians 12:31
“But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And yet, I am going to show you a far better way.”
Paul is about to launch into the most treasured words spoken about Jesus’ greatest commandments, love. This verse puts two of the great tensions together, ambition and sincerity. Both are important.
Paul spent an entire chapter about the gifts. They are important and meaningful. Part of our identity and purpose are wrapped up in our gift(s).
Paul also speaks about how the world values gifts and how the church isn’t to have that view. He takes Jesus perspective in that the least are the greatest. That is such a wake up call. We need to remind ourselves often about it.
Today’s verse tells us to desire the greater gifts. What’s interesting about this is that it makes it sound like we have a choice. I assumed God passed out the gifts as Pleased Him. The whole chapter contains the principles about being content with our gift and valuing others and their gifts.
I would assume this is speaking to younger believers who aren’t aware of their gifts. There is that state in which people aren’t aware of their gifts. Biblehub says that the greater gifts aren’t the glitzier ones, but those that bring the greater edification to the body.
Paul’s larger point is to do what we can to bringing greater edification to the body. In my twenties there were a few years in which I thought God wanted me to be a pastor. He closed that door. Thank You, God. Even after that I wondered if He would open that door. I finally got it about five years ago that I was not to be in a speaking role in church. I presently celebrate that fact. God didn’t make me that way. My men’s small group leader nudges us in that direction. I will fill in that role if needed, but that isn’t how He gifted me, so I celebrate how He did gift me and gladly serve there.
Regardless of what our gift is we are to love others. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’” He wants us to love everyone, especially the “least of these”.
Lord, help us to edify others with our gifts and to love others.