1 Corinthians 12:11-31 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 12:11-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Verse 12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. Verse 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Verse 14Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. Verse 15If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. Verse 16And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. Verse 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? Verse 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. Verse 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? Verse 20As it is, there are many members, yet one body. Verse 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." Verse 22On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, Verse 23and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; Verse 24whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, Verse 25that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. Verse 26If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Verse 27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Verse 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Verse 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Verse 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Verse 31But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Devotion
How amazing is God's workshop of creating and maintaining our bodies and gifts. Heart rhythm and respirations to match energy output. Digestion transforming food to fuel every cell in the body. Brain sending messages to direct every body organ's function. All without our asking. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit apportions gifts to each person and inspires their use. But all must work in concert—like a symphony—or there will be discord. What if instruments like humans had insecurities and jealousies, some refusing to play for fear of making mistakes? Drums just beating away without any notes. Bassoons sad for not sounding cheery like flutes. Trumpets miffed because they're never in the front row. Basses looking down on the insignificant piccolo.
But what beautiful harmony when people like instruments play joyfully in tune and in unison—each applauding, appreciating, and enhancing the gifts of others. May our gifts be so given for the good of the world.
Prayer
Creating God, enliven our gifts and help us give them joyfully in concert with others. Amen.