Your part

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. (Ro. 12:4-5 BSB)

We are often reminded of this biblical notion that we are all members of one body and most are quick to claim their rightful titles as members of the body of Christ but often it is the function as members that we fail to assume.  

What makes your physical body whole is not the physical existence of members, but their members ability to perform their rightful functions.  The more un-functional parts of the body you possess, the more disabled and limited your body will be. 

Likewise, in the body of Christ, the more members assume their God given functions, the more the body of Christ as whole will be able to perform God’s intentions for it here on earth.

Sadly, as a body we have come to a place where a vast majority of members depend on a very small minority of members to relentlessly serve and complete its functions. 

Even the smallest organs of your physical body are dependent on the contributing functions of smaller parts in order to jointly perform its main functions.

Likewise, in the body of Christ, every main function is dependent upon the faithful performance of many members to complete it.  

For instance, one main function of the body of Christ is the preparation of spiritual food. 

Over time, this role has consistently become the responsibility of one to a few designated members of a congregation.  However, when you look at the examples provided through-out the pages of scripture, there were immeasurably more members involved.

If you study the Old Testament institution of the temple, there were priests designated for the preparation of “spiritual food” called the “shewbread”.  The shewbread was set on display and replaced every week (see Lev. 24:8)

In the same way most congregations today have members that prepare spiritual food called sermons which are newly administered every week.  

The shewbread of the Old Testament consisted of 12 cakes.  Each cake had 2 parts, with a total of 24 separate parts.

Then you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes with it; two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake. (Lev. 24:5)

Notice, each part of the 12 cakes weighed one tenth of an ephah.  

Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it.  (Mal.3:10 Amp)

 

Individual members supplied the two “tenths” that made up each of the 12 breads. 

 Meaning, it is the spiritual functions of many individual members of the congregation that were intended to make up its spiritual food.   

The New Testament church also functioned in this manner.  

 When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. (1 Cor. 14:26 NLT)

Notice when all assume their functions, all are also strengthened. 

Supporting text

The container used to measure the manna… was one-tenth of an ephah. (Ex. 16:36 NLT)