One Gift Above All

Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in another language is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation. The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church. I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up. - 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 HCSB

What if the President requested some time on all the major TV networks? What if he interrupted our regularly scheduled programs, sat before an American flag with his hands folded on a mahogany desk and said, “My fellow Americans, I believe that it is vital to our national interests that everyone in the nation become bankers. Thank you and God bless America.”

What would we think? That our President had lost his mind? If we didn’t, then maybe some men in white coats should come visiting us! Yet that is precisely what some denominations will tell you. They teach that although God gave us a plurality of gifts, there is one gift that must be practiced universally – the gift of tongues.

I find it interesting that of all the gifts these groups chose ecstatic tongues to be the universal gift. Especially in light of the fact that Paul said that tongues get in the way of communication (which is slightly important to the spread of the Gospel), builds up the individual rather than the church, that a person who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, and that he “would rather speak five words with his understanding, in order to teach others also, than 10,000 words in another language.”[1] He frankly called those who elevate the gift of tongues to such an extreme point childish in their thinking.[2]

The purpose of worship is to encourage each other to do good works by which we can glorify the Father.[3] Good works, not self-gratifying, self-elevating, self-promoting glory hounding, is the purpose of salvation. “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift-- not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation--created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.”[4] Our obedience in service and good works will enable us to more effectively spread the Gospel.[5]

We do not discount the gift of tongues. We do not forbid speaking in other languages.[6] However, if there is one gift that is to be elevated above all it is the gift of love[7] and love is always demonstrated by obedience to God’s commands.[8]

[1] 1 Corinthians 14:18-19
[2] 1 Corinthians 14:20
[3] Titus 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:24; Matthew 5:16
[4] Ephesians 2:8-10
[5] 1 Peter 2:12
[6] 1 Corinthians 14:39-40
[7] 1 Corinthians 13:13
[8] John 14:15