In this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
The fourth duty that assembly-members have toward one another is the giving and receiving of gifts.
All members of the assembly have gifts that God has given them, and those gifts are to be shared with others. Whatever skills, expertise, or knowledge you have is for the benefit of all. Each person is a unique image of God with unique traits and perspectives. Each person has interests and abilities that are not identical to anyone else. You are to share your gifts with others, and they are to share their gifts with you.
Consider the following passages:
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…given to each one for the profit of all…the 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” (1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 21)
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10)
Peter says that we are to “minister” our gifts to one another. That’s a profound command that should not be dismissed easily. It’s a ministry of yours to share your gifts. Maybe you’re a musician, a mechanic, a doctor, a math genius, or a babysitter. Maybe you’ve learned wisdom from life experiences. Whatever the case may be, the Bible views your gift as a benefit to the whole assembly. Don’t think that you have nothing valuable to offer! You do. Each member — clergy and layperson alike — plays a vital role in the life of the assembly.
The temptation for many of us is to have an attitude only of receiving: “How will I be served at church today? What gifts will I receive? What can I get out of it?” But this is a self-centered attitude. The giving of gifts is a two-way street; it’s designed to be mutual. Yes, you are to be served, but your main focus should be on your responsibility — which is to serve. Let other people worry about their responsibility to serve you.
You should have an attitude that is eager to give. Jesus says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). If you want to be served, you must serve. Be mindful of how you can do this, and be prepared to act when your gifts are needed. Pray and look for opportunities to do so. This is not optional for a Christian. Peter says it is your ministry.
Here’s a tip: Don’t think you’re overqualified to sweep the floors or put chairs away. Don’t wait to be called on. Don’t use the excuse, “Someone else will do it.” If you see a job that needs to be done, take initiative and do it.
When you do your best to serve the assembly, then you will be in a prime position to receive gifts from others. If everyone is doing their job, then no one will be lacking. The result is that the body will function smoothly, everyone will rely on each other, and everyone will become more similar to each other. That is how an assembly should be — like a family.
Another temptation we face is to think that we don’t need someone else’s gifts. We want to be served, but only by certain people who have certain gifts. For various reasons, we close ourselves off to particular people: “The socially-awkward member? The member who’s a little rough-around-the-edges? Surely there’s nothing I can learn from them! I’ll keep a safe distance from them.”
But this is another form of self-centeredness with a heavy dose of arrogance. You can learn something from anyone, just as anyone can learn something from you. When you avoid certain people or look down upon them, imagine all the blessings you are missing out on! Be eager to receive gifts from anyone and everyone, even from those whom you least expect.
In closing, let me add that all of this must be believed and practiced by faith. We might not be conscious of the assembly’s giving-and-receiving nature every week. This is a long-term project. Service will fluctuate as needs fluctuate. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes it’s subtle. But scripture compels you to believe that you have something for others and that others have something for you.
By God’s design, the assembly is to function by the giving and receiving of gifts. Don’t neglect your ministry, and don’t disparage the ministry of others.
