1 Corinthians 13:2-3, 4b-5 (NKJV) 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. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing….love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NKJV) Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
The church consists of imperfect individuals, including the pastor. There are spiritual infants, carnal Christians, and mature believers. We often fail to minister to others when we are judgmental, which prevents love and compassion from flowing freely. We should seek spiritual growth, but it takes time because sanctification is a lifelong process. While we can overcome the flesh and walk in the Spirit through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, we must continually address the work of the flesh until the day we die. There will be a tendency for us to fall into self-centredness, pride, evil thoughts towards others, and being easily offended.
We should avoid causing anyone to stumble in everything we do, including in the matter of eating food offered to idols. We should refrain from doing anything, even if it is permissible, if it causes our brothers and sisters to stumble. There is also a tendency for us to become proud when we have gained knowledge of the Bible. However, it is not how much we know that matters, but how much we love God and others.
God is supreme. He has the freedom to minister directly to an individual or to use us as channels to serve His people. We can either lay hands on someone or speak the word, depending on the gift needed at the moment. When He uses us, we must be willing to be obedient vessels so the gift can flow through us to bless others. Unwillingness may arise from fear of appearing foolish during ministry or from disappointment with the person we are to serve. The Holy Spirit is gentle and will not force us if we refuse, but He will move on to another willing servant.
Faithful stewardship reflects our lifestyle of love for God and our neighbours. Everything we do for God and others must flow from love. When we love God, we will willingly serve Him and the people around us with 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).
Reflection: What prevents you from fully surrendering to God’s use of your gifts, and how can you cultivate a heart of obedience and humility so His Spirit can flow through you freely?
Sermon Series: Stewardship is Established in Love
让爱毫无阻碍地流动
哥林多前书 13:2-3, 4-5 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。 3 我若将所有的周济穷人，又舍己身叫人焚烧，却没有爱，仍然于我无益。 4 爱是恒久忍耐，又有恩慈，爱是不嫉妒，爱是不自夸，不张狂， 5 不做害羞的事，不求自己的益处，不轻易发怒，不计算人的恶，
哥林多前书 8:1-3 论到祭偶像之物，我们晓得“我们都有知识”。但知识是叫人自高自大，唯有爱心能造就人。 若有人以为自己知道什么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。 若有人爱神，这人乃是神所知道的。
教会是由一群不完全的人所组成的，包括牧者在内。有属灵的婴孩、属肉体的信徒，也有成熟的基督徒。当我们带着论断的心时，往往就无法真正服事他人，也拦阻了爱与怜悯的流动。我们需要追求属灵的成长，但这需要时间，因为成圣是一生之久的过程。虽然我们可以靠着圣灵胜过肉体、行在圣灵中，但在今生仍需要不断对付肉体的工作。我们很容易陷入以自我为中心、骄傲、对人怀恶意，以及轻易被冒犯的光景。
在一切事上，我们都应避免使人跌倒，包括在吃祭偶像之物这类事情上。即使某些事情是可行的，但若会使弟兄姐妹跌倒，我们也应当选择节制。同时，当我们对圣经知识增长时，也容易产生骄傲。然而，真正重要的不是我们知道多少，而是我们爱神和爱人的程度。
神是至高。祂可以亲自向人作工，也可以使用我们成为祂的器皿去服事他人。祂可能带领我们按手祷告，也可能感动我们用话语服事人，取决于当时所需的恩赐。当神使用我们时，我们需要愿意顺服，成为祂可用的器皿，使恩赐可以流通，祝福他人。有时我们不愿意，可能是因为害怕在服事中显得愚拙，或因对服事对象感到失望。圣灵是温柔的，若我们拒绝，祂不会强迫我们，而会转向其他愿意的人。
忠心的管家职分，反映出我们爱神与爱人的生活样式。我们为神和为人所做的一切，都必须从爱出发。当我们爱神时，就会甘心乐意地用祂所赐的恩赐去服事祂和周围的人。正如经上所说：“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）
默想：
是什么拦阻你完全将自己的恩赐交托给神使用？你可以如何培养一颗顺服与谦卑的心，使圣灵能毫无阻碍地在你生命中流动，并透过你祝福他人？
讲章系列：在爱中建立管家职分