Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:14-27
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Suppose you and your kinfolk wander out to Billy Bob’s Bovine Steak and Burger Barn for the Friday night all-you-can-eat special. Exactly how do you feel after you’ve bellied up to the buffet? Vote for your choice:
(a) I go home stuffed because I edge my way to the front of the line—and then I inhale every last bit of vittles I can find.
(b) I go home hungry because I take itty-bitty spoonfuls—even of my favorite foods. I’m scared to take more than a mouthful for fear that someone else might miss out.
(c) I go home comfortably full—and there’s still plenty of food left for everyone else to eat when they saunter through later that night.
Did you know that you face the same three choices when it comes to showing yourself love? Think about it:
(a) You can love yourself so much that you leave nothing for anyone else in your world.
(b) You can skimp on loving yourself until you wither away.
(c) You can learn to rightly love your neighbor as you love yourself.
In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul said that as Christians we have something to share with each other that’s even more vital than food. He explained that the Holy Spirit has built inside each of us gifts to serve others. Not only that, but he’s equipped each of us with exactly the gifts he wants us to have. He’s made us like a body—and each person is like a body part. Whether we have the abilities of an eye, an ear, or a foot, our goal is to appreciate, develop, and put into action all of the abilities God has built into us for the good of the rest of the body—the rest of our church family.
Can you see how that kind of self-love isn’t selfish? If you love yourself too much, you’ll keep your gift to yourself. If you love yourself too little, you won’t believe you can be of any help to anyone. But when you love yourself rightly, you think enough of yourself to put your one-of-a-kind assortment of gifts to work for the good of others!
TALK: Do you think you love yourself too much—or too little—or just right? How does loving yourself help you love others?
PRAY: God, help us love ourselves just right—so that we use our gifts for the good of others!
ACT: Show yourself some respect: Use your gifts to make a difference in someone’s life today!
