JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from First Corinthians 12:14-16.

The church is compared to a body, with Christ at the Head, and the other members of the body serving in different capacities.

“Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, ‘because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.”

The Bible emphasizes the importance of every part of the body to contribute to the work of the church. Maybe we are not gifted to offer hospitality by cooking a meal, but we might have a friendly personality who can greet someone at the door of the church. We might not be able to preach like the pastor, but we might have opportunities to share God’s love with a friend next door. This passage cautions us from making comparisons with others that leave us feeling inferior. Our role may be different, but it is also an important contribution to the body of Christ. The important thing is that we are thankful for how God has gifted us and use that gift for the glory of His name.

Recognizing the significance of our spiritual gift is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com