Everything to Build Up
Everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NIV)
Paul organizes Corinthian worship with a simple, revolutionary principle: when you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation — everything must be done for strengthening. Everyone holds something; everything builds. Worship is no few-person show but all-person construction: no audiences, no stars. The Spirit dealt gifts to entire congregations, never stages.
Serving to edify changes Sunday's question: not “did I enjoy?” but “did I edify?” Singers, prayers, teachers, welcomers, cleaners, organizers share one work — raising the body. Edification filters everything: non-edifying jokes fall silent, non-edifying gifts wait, non-edifying critiques die in throats. Everything ascending stages must descend as construction bricks.
Bring your psalm today: preparing words, praying for someone, serving somewhere, cheering the weary. Everything to build up: co-building servants watch churches climbing upward.
Living bricks, growing temples. Contribute your part today. Spectators watch while bodies build together. Swap spectator seats for worker tools today. Your part outweighs applause greatly. Full pews of servants overflow glory; full pews of watchers empty purposes. Bricks laid lovingly rise into temples gradually. Contribute yours cheerfully today. Edifying service multiplies kingdom growth visibly. Build together and climb upward.