Recipe for Life 5

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

We have a rotation of responsibility in our house. Every night for dinner one of the three children will be responsible for setting the table, laying out the plates and silverware. After the dinner the other two are responsible for clearing the table, taking away the dirty dishes, putting them in the dishwasher, and washing up whatever doesn’t fit in the dishwasher. It is a fair and equal distribution of labor.

Our approach fits very well with the kitchen tip “Whoever does the cooking does not do the dishes.” This seems a fair approach to life in general, yet we don’t always apply it to our church family.

In this passage from 1 Corinthians Paul points out God’s distribution of labor. What is different? What is the same?

There are frequent squawks and disputes in a church family whenever there is any type of event at the church. Some of these issues even arise in the worship time. We may see conflict when one person feels they have done more work than another. Some feel they give to the church more than others.

But what we often overlook is that people contribute in their own ways. Some folks are gifted with the ability to cook great dishes to be shared. Others have the skills to make repairs. Others have been blessed by God with financial wealth which they share generously.

We can’t compare what we do with others in some attempt to decide who is doing more. We must realize that we all have different abilities and attitudes. We must trust that each person brings their own gifts to be used by God, and then we must trust that each gift is indeed used by God for His kingdom.

Some cook. Some wash. Some set the table. Some pay for the meal. As long as we are all doing the work with the intention of serving God we can all find satisfaction in knowing God is being glorified.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you respect the works and gifts of others?