“Let all things be done for building up . . .” 1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV
In this passage, Paul is addressing the issue of spiritual gifts. He is urging believers to seek those gifts that build up the church rather than the gifts that flaunt our accomplishments. The Message translates this passage in the following manner:
So here’s what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three’s the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you’re saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you’re also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.
The gifts God has given to each believer are meant ‘for the common good’ (1 Corinthians 12:7). I believe Paul Tripp’s prose states it best:
I have been given gifts—
an indication of the
purpose
call
generosity
of my Creator Savior King.
I could not have designed
these abilities on my own.
They are divine creations,
given with a purpose,
calling me to live for something
vastly bigger than
my wants
my needs
my feelings
my choices
my plans
my purpose for my life.
My gifts have not been given for
my glory,
to draw attention to me,
to collect influence,
to acquire power,
to bask in fame,
to glory in what I can do,
to take credit for what
I could never do or produce
on my own.
Every good ability
that in your wisdom
you have entrusted to me
belongs to you.
Every gift is a
stewardship
to be invested in
the mission
the purpose
the praise
the glory
of the Giver.
No gift makes me
special
important
praiseworthy
deserving.
A gift always says more
about the wisdom
character
attentiveness
love
generosity
faithfulness
grace
of the Giver
than about the one
who has been blessed to
receive the gift.
A gift is called a gift
because it has not been
earned
achieved
deserved
purchased.
A gift is not an entitlement
but a blessing.
God’s gifts are blessings
wrapped in beautiful grace
filled with glorious purpose.
May I never take ownership
over the gifts I have been given.
May I never use them
to draw attention and praise to me.
May I not use them to build
my kingdom
but to advance the purpose
of yours.
May I use each gift in a way
that causes me to decrease
so that you may increase.
And may every
word spoken
decision made
desire fulfilled
action taken
be for this one thing alone:
your glory.
(https://www.paultripp.com/wednesdays-word/posts/stewarding-your-gifts)
Prayer: Lord, may all that I am, all that I have received from you, and all that I do be for your glory and your glory alone. Amen.