Thursday Devotional - Gifts to Give

There’s been lots of talk here at Thomson Reuters about breaking down silos, collaborating with coworkers, and valuing different perspectives. These aren’t new concepts. God thought of it first! He designed all of us to work together rather than individually and to use our unique skills and abilities for the benefit of all!

Romans 12:5-8       so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Believers make up Christ’s one body (the universal Church) with their unique God-given gifts. These gifts aren’t for us to keep to ourselves, save for a rainy day, or use when we feel like it.  God has given each of us unique ways to contribute to the lives of those around us to build up His universal Church.

What gifts has God given to you?

When have you and I not used them for the benefit of other believers?

How will you and I willingly and cheerfully use them for the benefit of fellow believers now and in the future, even when we don’t feel like it?

As verse 5 says, we belong to God and to each other!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Of Little Importance?

Which part of your body would you say is the most important? Which would you say is the least? Have you ever hurt a “minor” part of your body only to realize how much you take it for granted when it works properly?

I was playing tickle monster with the kids two weeks ago and I stubbed my baby toe (or “foot piggy,” as Sarah calls it) while I was running through the house. It ended up being more than a stubbed toe. I either sprained or broke it and the pain has persisted. I’ve been wearing flops most of the time, as it’s most comfortable. Now I realize how important even my baby toe is!

Similarly, we can take for granted other members of the body of Christ (other believers).  

Romans 12:3-5       For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Who do you and I look down on, thinking our talents, gifts and abilities are better? 

Or why do you and I compare our responsibilities to those of others? 

Where do you and I need to value the different gifts of others in our family and local churches?

Paul says we aren’t to think more highly (or lowly) of ourselves as we have different functions but form one body in Christ. 

We’re all needed and of great importance!

Alice