1  Corinthians 13.  Paul is still addressing the divisions caused in the Corinthian churches by those who are partial to one or the other minister.  They valued those gifted with good communication skills, insight, faith, generosity, sacrificial commitment — and who wouldn’t?  But Paul said that all these characteristics are nothing if the servant  simply uses his or her giftedness to gain a following, but does not serve out of love.  Loving service is humble service because it realizes the temporary nature of knowledge compared with the eternal value of relationship.

LORD, may those of us who lead in your family first learn how to love our brothers.