Even the most remarkable spiritual gifts–such as prophecy and tongues–are subject to love. This is the Apostle Paul’s message to a church endowed with many supernatural abilities. And, the sign of their gifts being used in love will be evidenced by how they build up others and make room for others. This is a rare and radical thing in our day.

The supremacy of love is seen in that it is the final victor–”Love never ends”. And, love… Read more >

If someone offered you a wish: To be greatly gifted and have those gifts recognized by the… Read more >

It is so easy for us to judge ultimate value and worth through the lens of gifts and abilities. Rather than celebrating and honoring all gifts and those who have them, we tend to venerate a few, and ignore the others–this is occurring in the 1st century church of Corinth and the Apostle Paul understands the threat. So, God provides the Corinthians, and us, with a different vision of how gifts and people might operate in community.

It is ‘hardwired’ into us to want to make a contribution. This is why identifying and using our gifts/abilities is so important to us. And once we do discover and exercise our abilities it will result in one of two attitudes—pride or humility. We will either stand up—chests puffed out with pride—or fall on our knees in humility. The former is happening in the church in Corinth. As they begin to use their spiritual gifts the results is comparing, competition and pride. And, so Paul draws their attention to a different place—not the gift and the self, but the Giver and the purpose for the gift.

The themes of food, meals, and hunger are found throughout the Bible, often used as metaphors to… Read more >

This particular passage is notorious for raising questions and controversy. Does it reveal the trivial nature of… Read more >