"But you should divide with them. Right now you have plenty and can help them; then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way each will have as much as he needs" (2 Corinthians 8:14).
I like Paul's emphasis on spiritual equality. In his letter to the church at Corinth, this principle is clearly expressed:
"You can help them...they can share with you...each will have as much as he needs."
Not one of us is a total body within himself; collectively, we are the body of Christ.
The hand can accomplish only certain kinds of functions.
The eyes cannot physically grasp objects, but they can see them.
The ears cannot transport the body like feet can, but ears can hear many sounds.
The hand needs the eye, and the eye needs the hand. All parts of the body need each other in order to function as a healthy body.
Are the parts the same? No. Do they have equality? Yes.
While the Christians at Corinth possessed all the spiritual gifts, they were not glorifying Christ or building up one another. Instead, they were glorifying themselves, glorifying their special gifts, and exercising their gifts in the flesh instead of in the power and control of the Holy Spirit.
Time and again, the apostle Paul stressed to the Corinthians that an atmosphere of godly love, agape, must prevail or the exercising of their gifts would be fruitless.
TODAY'S ACTION POINT: I will be content with my place in the Body of Christ, whether it be large or small, realizing that every part of the body is vitally important in God's kingdom.
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