We will meet many difficulties as we try to dutifully seek the good of our neighbors. We won't make any headway in this regard unless we lay aside concern for ourselves -- indeed, unless we somehow lay aside our very self. For how, unless we forsake ourselves and commit ourselves wholly to others, can we bring forth those works that Paul identifies as love? "Love," he says, "is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable;" and so on. That single command that we not insist on our own way -- with what force must we resist our own nature to pursue it. Our very nature inclines us to self-love. As a result, we don't easily deny ourselves or our desire in order to see the good of others. Even less are we willing to give up our right to something and give that right to another.
In order to lead us by the hand to such self-denial, Scripture warns us that whatever we have freely received from the Lord is given to us on the condition that it be used for the common good of the church.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)
The proper use, then, of all the good gifts we have received is the free and generous sharing of those gifts with others.
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