Ramblings on What We Share: The Greatest Gift

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.  If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 12:31b-13:3

 

Why is it when you receive a gift that it’s the person who gave it rather than the object received that makes it special? On my shelf in my office are trinkets given to me by various people throughout my life. A German shot glass given to me by old Mrs. Murphy who used to run a party barn near the farm where I grew up. A tiny music box given to me by my friend Terry after his wife died as a memento of kindness I had shown her. It is the love and affection shared with people that make their gifts most precious.

 

The same could be said of the gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit. No spiritual gift, whether tongues, faith, prophecy or giving, can match the value of the love the triune God demonstrates to us by giving the gifts. And no level of excitement or fulfillment that we experience when used by God should ever compare to the depth, height and breadth of our love for God, our loving Father, Savior, and Comforter.

 

Spiritual gifts only gain value when demonstrated in and through love. Unless they are an expression of our compassion and kindness to those around us, they have little benefit. The most excellent way Paul describes is the way of the heart. Regardless of whether we are greatly gifted or feel we have no gift to share, every one of us can show love and that gains everything.