1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (NKJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Faithful stewardship reflects our lifestyle of love for God and our neighbours. We cannot claim to love God while harbouring hatred towards our neighbours or refusing to share the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we love God and others, our love should be evident in our actions rather than merely in our words. Words without actions are empty. Everything we do for God and others must stem from love. When we love God, we will serve Him and those around us using the gifts He has given us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
There is a risk of self-glorification when we operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit rather than honour God with these gifts that He has given us. God can use anyone to administer these gifts when the Holy Spirit wants to minister to people. We are simply channels or conduits of God’s power, wisdom, and abilities—the source is always Him. Therefore, we should remain humble before Him. There is also a danger of pride when we operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially when we are puffed up by knowledge. Therefore, we must establish a foundation of ministering out of love for God and others.
God, in His wisdom, has distributed His gifts throughout the entire body of Christ so that no one person possesses them all. We were never meant to live in isolation. God designed us to depend on one another—not only on Him—and we fail to steward His gifts well when we choose online church over gathering with a local church or a small group. These gifts were given to us to minister to one another and to the world, but how can we show genuine love and compassion unless we listen to people and share life with them?
Have you ever wondered why God speaks about love in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, between chapters 12 and 14, where He talks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? The gifts of the Holy Spirit are activated by love—the love of God and our love for others. Therefore, we need to allow God’s love to flow through us, so the gifts can operate effectively as channels of His blessing.
Reflection: How can we remain humble and guard our hearts from pride when using the gifts—spiritual or administrative—that God has given us?
Sermon Series: Stewardship is Established in Love
爱是管家职分的根基
哥林多前书13:1-2 我若能说万人的方言，并天使的话语，却没有爱，我就成了鸣的锣、响的钹一般。我若有先知讲道之能，也明白各样的奥秘、各样的知识，而且有全备的信叫我能够移山，却没有爱，我就算不得什么。
忠心的管家职分反映出我们对神和对邻舍的爱的生活方式。我们若心中对人怀有怨恨，或不愿意分担弟兄姐妹的重担，就不能声称自己爱神。当我们爱神、爱人时，这份爱必须在行动中显明，而不只是停留在言语上；没有行动的言语是空洞的。我们为神和他人所做的一切，都必须源于爱。
神爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生（约翰福音 3:16）。当我们爱神时，我们就会用祂所赐的恩赐去服事祂，也服事身边的人。
然而，当我们运用圣灵的恩赐时，若不谨慎，容易落入自我荣耀的风险，而不是将荣耀归给神。事实上，圣灵按祂的心意使用任何人来服事他人，我们不过是神能力、智慧和恩赐的器皿与管道，真正的源头永远是神。因此，我们必须在祂面前保持谦卑。
同样地，恩赐的运用也伴随着骄傲的危险，特别是当人因知识而自高自大时。所以，我们必须建立一个根基：一切的服事都出于对神和对人的爱。
神按祂的智慧，将各样恩赐分赐在基督的身体中，使没有任何一个人可以独自拥有全部恩赐。我们从来不是被设计为独立生活的个体，神要我们彼此依赖——不仅依靠祂，也彼此相连。当我们选择只停留在线上聚会，而不参与实体教会或小组生活时，我们其实没有好好管理神所托付的恩赐。
这些恩赐是为了彼此服事，并且服事这个世界。但如果我们不愿意倾听他人、不愿意与人分享生命，又如何能真实地表达爱与怜悯呢？
你是否曾想过，为什么在哥林多前书第12章和第14章谈论圣灵恩赐的中间，第13章却特别强调“爱”？这是因为——圣灵的恩赐是由爱所启动的，是出于神的爱，也是出于我们对人的爱。因此，我们需要让神的爱在我们里面流动，使这些恩赐能够成为祂祝福他人的管道。
默想：
当我们使用神所赐的恩赐（无论属灵或行政性的恩赐）时，我们如何保持谦卑，并保守自己的心不落入骄傲之中？
讲章主题：管家职分建立在爱之上