1 Corinthians 14:12, "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church."

Today my reading included three prominent chapters on the subject of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14). This is a subject misunderstood, and therefore, often results in an environment of abuse in local assemblies.  Paul was correcting this abuse of spiritual gifts in the church at Corinth and attempting to bring understanding and order.  Read these three chapters carefully, for they will be beneficial to you as you consider your own spiritual gifts and how they fit into edifying the church.

The local church is neglected by many who claim salvation, and I believe they have fallen into a trap set by the devil.  The church is special to Christ, it is His bride, called out to be a witness and testimony to the world in which we live.  People neglect the church by failing to attend faithfully, by failing to support it financially with their tithes and offerings, and by not investing themselves and their spiritual gift(s) for the edifying of the church.  

You see the problem in Corinthian was individual believers wanted to advance themselves rather than the believers who made up the local assembly (the church) in their area.  Paul states with emphasis, "Let all things be done unto edifying." (1 Cor. 14:26)

Let me give you a quick recipe of how I believe God wants you to live your life as it relates to the local church:

• First, God wants you to identify with a local church and attend it faithfully (Hebrews 10:25).

• God also wants you to support your local church by giving tithes and offerings (1 Corinthians 16:2).

• God wants you to pray for the salvation of souls, and to serve in its soul-winning ministry (Jude 20-23). Finally,

• God wants you to utilize your spiritual gifts to build and strengthen your local church (1 Corinthians 14:12).

How are you doing?  If everyone in your church was like you, would there even be a church in your community?  God help us to understand spiritual gifts and our responsibility to edify those in the church.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. How would you define spiritual gifts?

2. Have you identified your spiritual gift(s)?

3. Do you neglect your church in the use of your spiritual gifts? What is the result?

4. What can you begin doing differently today to edify the church?