“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV
Reflection: are you a giver, a receiver or a taker?
During the final months of my mom’s life, she needed a lot of help to do many basic things. She had been a giver her whole life, with respect to taking care of others. Ensuring that our family always had necessities like clothing and food, that our house was clean and presentable, planning and preparing for parties and guests, and so on. But then when her own health started failing, this giver now had to accept help from others. My dad insisted to step into that role, telling her “you have taken care of us your whole life, please let me take care of you now”. And while he did an amazing job stepping up and taking care of her, I remember that this transition was difficult for her., to receive help. She preferred being the giver. But watching the two of them having to reverse roles of giver and receiver was beautiful, and spoke volumes about their love for each other.
In any functioning relationship, we have to act in both a giver and receiver roles. They are both necessary. This is also how we learn and grow. And this giver – receiver relationship is godly, if you think about it. The greatest gift of all is from the Giver himself, giver of life, giver of salvation, of peace, of all good things. And we can receive from Him all these things. He loves to give, because of who He is. But is He then also a receiver? Yes, clearly He is, as we give Him of ourselves, our praise and worship. Our gratitude. Our love. But, this godly relationship of giver and receiver can become corrupted. Let’s say the receiver starts expecting the gifts, even becoming demanding of the giver. In this case, the receiver becomes a “taker”, because it is no longer a heart of gratitude but a selfish, hard heart. They will take, actually “steal”, from others whatever they can, that will fulfill their own desires and needs. They are not focused on others.
Paul is instructing the church in Corinth how to administer services, and specifically in relation to sharing of spiritual gifts within the congregation. He opens chapter 14 with saying “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 ESV. His point is that members of a congregation must use the gifts for the benefit of the others, not for self promotion or importance. And he uses the example of speaking prophetically or speaking in tongues.
And I’m sure we all have seen givers, receivers and takers in our lives, perhaps even in our churches. Some can even seem to be so focused on their own self image, what makes them seem important or godly, as opposed to just being a humble giver to the congregation. Because where do all good gifts come from? “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”James 1:17 ESV.
Let us practice selfless giving, and be grateful receivers.