Rom 12:7 Serving and Teaching

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Serving and Teaching

Rom 12:7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach

These gifts of service and teaching are also mentioned here: "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues." 1Cor 12:28

As I mentioned previously, prophecy and teaching are a couple of the most essential roles among the body of Christ, prophesying focuses on convicting the person of applications, and teaching focuses on explaining the scriptures. (For example you may have noted that I enjoy explaining things to death) But let those who teach or who want to teach take warning. For some "want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." 1Tim 1:7 and in fact "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Jam 3:1 And those who seek to be taught should likewise take heed. For there are those who in order "to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Tim 4:3,4

Those with the gift of service focus on meeting practical needs. For example there were some women who cared for Jesus during his ministry. And when he was crucified, "some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs." Mk 15:40,41 For Paul it was  Epaphroditus who was commended as, "my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs." Php 2:25

Christ himself set the example of service, for  the "Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mt 20:28 And the apostle Paul also encouraged the Ephesian elders to relinquish their right to get paid, and opt rather to contribute. "You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions." Acts 20:34 

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