The truth is we do not have everything we need to live a successful life on our own. But everything we need to thrive, we can find in the church. The Bible is clear that God has given everyone a spiritual gift for the betterment of the body. Each gift fills a need within the church. Many of which are to help others. When we have a need and go to God His answer may simply be to turn to the community of believers. So they can use their gifts to help us. God has built the church in such a way that we can find exactly what we need with each other. Also allowing us to help to meet the needs of other believers by using our God-given gifts.
When writing to the Corinthians Paul said God has given them every spiritual gift they need to eagerly await the coming of the Lord. This is not a statement written to each individual but the church as a whole. It is to show that when they unite as a body of believers, they have everything they need to thrive.
1 Corinthians 1:7 (ESV)
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The same is still true to this day. We may not have all we need on our own but we can find just what we need in the church. We just have to seek it out. Whether we need strengthening of our faith, encouragement, counseling, teaching, support, or even help meeting our needs for a time, we can and should find it within the church. Because God gives gifts to individuals within the church. Empowering them in those very areas and more.
1 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV)
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Romans 12:6–8 (ESV)
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Paul even called out the Corinthian church for seeking judgment from a secular court instead of allowing another believer to settle their disputes. Pointing them to the fact that there were those in the church capable of handling such issues. Stating clearly that they didn’t need to rely on the world. The same is true today in areas even beyond settling disputes between two parties. As the church has the ability to offer so much support to other believers.
No Christian should turn to the world for help when the church has so many resources it is willing and able to offer other members of the faith. After first seeking God our next stop should always be to the church whenever we are in need. Where we can receive assistance and support from other God-centered people. Also giving us a better testimony before those who are outside of the church. Showing the bond of love Christians have for each other by meeting the needs that arise. Unlike the testimony of the Corinthian church who took their problems before unbelievers. Which only would have turned others away from the faith.
1 Corinthians 6:1–6 (ESV)
1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?
Often it can feel as though no one else in the church could possibly be going through the same things we are. We see other church members as too perfect to share in our struggles. But that isn’t the case at all. The church is made up of many unique people that all overlap in various areas. No matter what you are currently going through you can find someone else in the church who can relate. Whether they are still going through it or have already overcome it with God’s help. They exist within the church and are able to offer you the encouragement and help you need.
You don’t need to search outside of the church to find help regardless of your struggle. Addiction, lust, greed, financial issues, marital issues, sin, depression, sadness, anger, hurt, tough questions of faith, and the like are nothing new in the church. Nor are they rare even within the members of God’s family. Everyone goes through something in life. God is able to use one person’s experiences to help the next person facing the same things.
All you have to do is look into the church and take the first step to reach out for support. When you do you will find just what you need. Because as God’s people we are to love and encourage those around us. Helping them the best we can by extending patience, gentleness, and kindness. Following the example laid forth by the Lord. Doing so shows that we belong to Him.
John 13:34–35 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV)
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
1 John 2:6 (ESV)
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Even when it comes to prayer we can find what we need in the church. When we find it hard to pray, don’t know what to pray, or simply just feel as though our needs are too large to bring to God on our own. We see in the Bible that what we need, we can find in the church. God’s word tells us to bring our needs before other Christians. Seeking their prayers over our situation. Scripture clearly states that the prayers of a righteous person have great power. Even teaching that prayer has the power to heal the sick. So regardless of our need, we should seek the prayers of other believers. Because there is no telling what God will do when Christians bind together in prayer.
James 5:13–16 (ESV)
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
The Bible says that we as Christians are to live in a community. We are not to live for ourselves or try to make it on our own. Instead, we are supposed to come together often to build up one another. Taking an interest, not in just our own needs but those of others as well. In fact, the Bible says that we should come together even more as the last days approach. Part of living in a community of believers is doing all we can to meet every need that arises within the body. Whether that means offering words of encouragement, advice, a helping hand, or even financial support. It also means that when a church is operating righteously all we need to thrive can be found in it.
Romans 14:19 (ESV)
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Corinthians 10:24 (ESV)
24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The early church knew all this and lived it out. They didn’t turn to the world to find what they needed. Instead, they simply looked within the body. Relying on the help of one another in every circumstance. All using the gifts and abilities God had given them to accomplish what was best for everyone. What they experienced for doing so was daily growth, consistent moves of God, and overflowing blessings. All of which we still need so much today.
Acts 2:44–47 (ESV)
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32–35 (ESV)
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Of course, there are essential services required for living in this modern world that we will always need. Such as medical care, financing, various stores, automotive care, and insurance just to name a few. Using these services and others though differs greatly from relying on the world for support. But it also must be said that we still don’t have to look outside the church for such things. The church is made up of people from all different walks of life, many of which fill lives essential roles. Meaning we can come to find what we need for life in the church. Even when those needs go past simply offering a helping hand. Or working to meet spiritual needs. If we will just take the time to search it out, we can find anything we need in the church body.
I have heard it said that God doesn’t need you because He can use someone else to accomplish His will. That may very well be true. But I know for a fact that no matter what the church needs you. Because the Bible teaches every part of the body is necessary. Everything you need is in the church and when you are in the church the rest of the body has everything it needs. So look for what you need in the church and not in the world. While also being sure to give your abilities to the church and not the world only.
1 Corinthians 12:18–25 (ESV)
18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
Everything you need, you can find in the true church of God. Where believers have God’s Holy Spirit and live out His word to the best of their abilities every day. As a Christian, you have no need to turn to the world to meet your needs. God has provided everything you need both physically and spiritually within the church. By simply providing His people with blessings and giftings they are able to share with fellow believers. When you have any need turn first to the family of believers and allow them to offer the help God has empowered them to.
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