For the Building up of the body of Christ

Ephesians 4: 7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift.
11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Many Gifts – some sing in the praise band, some in the choir; some work on work with children and youth, some visit those who are ill; some bake cookies for VBS. All are called to use their gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.


I think we can expand our thinking a bit as well. You are God’s gift to the world! Do you use it to build people up or tear them down? At the office do you manipulate things to make yourself look better even at the cost of a coworker? In politics do you find yourself rehearsing all the things the government is doing wrong or do you ask yourself how you can help make things better. Negative campaigns do work in politics and in organizations. You can get your agenda through but only at the cost of your integrity.

Ephesians 4: 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.