Paul had written to the Corinthian believers in response to their questions concerning spiritual gifts. The church in Corinth was characterized by much division (I Corinthians 3:3) and contributing to this division was their misuse of these spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:28-31). Paul had explained to them that the gifts were to be used for the benefit of the entire body (I Corinthians 12:7). While the purpose for the gifts was clarified, the cause for division had yet to addressed – discontent.
Paul tells his audience “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him (I Corinthians 12:18). The church is God’s work. Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry made this clear when he told Peter “…I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). The gifts are distributed as God chooses for the purposes which he intends to accomplish in his body, the church. Why then do we grumble and complain when we see the gifts of others and treat our own as inconsequential. We complain against God.
Paul used the human body to make this point clear. “But now are there many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you” (I Corinthians 12:20-21). The parts of the body are made to operate in harmony. We all know of someone who has suffered the loss of use of a leg, hand, eye, etc. The body struggles to compensate for such loss.
And so is the church. God made the church body to be comprised of many members that are dependent on one another for its proper functioning. In fact, such inter-dependency is intended to emphasize unity “that there should be no schism (division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (I Corinthians 12: 25).
No organization can thrive without each of its members making the contribution expected from their position. And members cannot fulfill their role when they are discontent with their lot and grumbling about others. We see this truth played out in businesses, sports teams, governments, etc. The church is no different.
The key to overcoming these undesirable organizational behaviors is to actually care for one another. Paul writes “…that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it” (I Corinthians 12:25-26). To have real unity, there must be genuine love that looks beyond ourselves to the needs and cares of others. Paul wrote to the Philippians “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Reflect on this claim in the context of your own organization. Does it matter to you about those with whom you serve?
From the Chaplain 