Spiritual Gifts, Envy, Contentment, and the Glory of God
Nose: "It just doesn't seem fair. Everybody comments on those beautiful blue eyes. I don't want recognition for myself, of course, but I do feel sorry for the ears and eyebrows. Nobody seems to appreciate what they contribute. And if people knew the truth, they'd realize those eyes aren't nearly as impressive as they appear. Besides, they're closed a good portion of the day!"
Counsellor: "Is it possible that your concern for the ears and eyebrows is really disappointment over your own lack of recognition? Sometimes what sounds like concern for others is actually our own envy speaking through a disguise — otherwise known as projection."
Nose: "Well, now that you mention it, people rarely comment on my attributes. I suppose they take me for granted. The closest I get to recognition is when someone says a pair of glasses fits nicely. That's really a compliment directed at me, isn't it? Yes, I do feel overlooked. And those blue eyes are definitely overrated. If I received even half the attention they get, I'd be perfectly content."
Thankfully, noses do not envy eyes. Ears do not compete with eyebrows. The members of our face simply accept their place and perform their function. The tragedy is that what would be absurd in a human face often becomes reality in a local church.
The believers in Corinth were bickering over which gifts were the most important and which roles carried the most prestige. It seemed many were enamoured with the spectacular. Those with the more visible gifts looked down on believers whose ministries were less public. At the same time, some of those serving behind the scenes became dissatisfied and wished they possessed the gifts and opportunities of others. The result was an unhealthy atmosphere of pride, jealousy and division.
The Apostle Paul writes to teach them—and us—about diversity and unity within local churches, including the church in Corinth.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as He wanted — or, “as He chose,” or, “as He desired,” or, “as it pleased Him.” 1 Corinthians 12:17-18
The crucial phrase is “as it pleased Him.” The eye did not choose to be an eye. The ear did not choose to be an ear. God made that decision. Likewise, every spiritual gift, every opportunity, every responsibility and every sphere of service has been assigned according to God’s wisdom and purpose.
There are no self-made Christians in the body of Christ or in the local assembly. God not only saves by grace; He also assigns our place of service by grace. Every gift, every ability, every opportunity to serve and every measure of usefulness comes by grace and grace alone.
No believer earned their gift or merited it in any way. And no believer has been overlooked by God. The same God who saved you by grace, dear child of God, has entrusted you with a place of service —a role —a gift by His matchless grace to be a blessing to others and to glorify God.
The sister who possesses a certain spiritual gift was not given it because God appreciates her more. Nor were you deprived of a particular ability because you somehow failed to measure up.
All of us are indebted to God’s grace for whatever we have received. By the way, if you wish to study spiritual gifts further you will find the primary passages in Ephesians 4:7-16, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11, and here in 1 Corinthians 12-14.
If every gift comes from God, then neither envy nor boasting makes any sense. The believer with a less visible role has no reason to be discouraged, and the believer with a more public role has no reason to gloat or boast. Both are recipients of grace. When grace is understood, the spotlight shifts from the gift to the Giver!
We are not to covet another person’s gift but to faithfully use what God has gifted us with and to use it for His glory. Together, in our God-appointed roles, we are to function as a healthy body functions—many members, different functions, one purpose.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1Peter 4:10
Or rendered more simply:
God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1Peter 4:10 NLT
And then Peter elevates his teaching to the ultimate when he writes that whatever God has equipped us with …
… let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” 1Peter 4:11
The healthiest local churches are not those where everyone does the same thing, but those where each believer gratefully accepts the place God has given them and faithfully serves for the glory of Christ.
As you, dear Child of God, serve with-all-your-heart according to the grace you received, the local church is strengthened, Christ is honoured, and God receives the glory.
