GROWING TOGETHER

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. —Romans 12:6–8

One of the keys to reading Paul’s letters is to remember that most of them were written not to individuals but to churches. Most of his uses of the word, you, were plural, meaning that his instructions, admonitions, greetings, and blessings were directed to groups of believers. (This is more apparent in the Greek language in which Paul wrote than it is in English.) A number of times in his letters, Paul gave extended descriptions of the church as the body of Christ with different parts that work together and complement each other’s unique roles. “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4, 5). Such an extensive and diverse list of gifts should remind us that no one member has to do it all. We all have a role to play, but we do not have to play all the roles—or assume that we should. We should not be afraid to serve according to the gifts and opportunities we are given, but neither should we be afraid to avoid being overburdened.

One of the gifts that Paul included on this list is encouragement. It could be argued that all the other gifts are ways in which we can encourage each other, but encouragement was also recognized as a role in itself and one of the vital ways in which we practice our faith together. So, if your gift is to encourage, then give encouragement.