Underestimating always gets me into trouble. I purchased a drum kit a while back with the impression that learning to play would be simple. Swinging sticks up and down can’t be too difficult, right? Well, I can tell you, it ain’t as easy as it sounds. And the difficulty stems from the hand-and-foot coordination, since you must strike the snare, toms, and cymbals with your hands while simultaneously stomping the kick pedal with your foot.

And that’s the only way to do it right. The hands can’t do all the work, and neither can the feet. Therefore, every good rhythm depends on the cooperation, coordination, and individual contributions of the hands and feet. And this is how the Lord designed the local church to function as well. All believers in Christ have been spiritually united to the universal body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12), and they are commanded to manifest this reality by uniting with a local church, where they can produce a God-pleasing rhythm with other members who do their part.

According to the apostle Paul, some believers are like the feet of the church, while others are like the hands, ears, and eyes (1 Cor. 12:14-30). Just as different parts of the human body have distinct functions, each believer possesses God-given spiritual gifts for the betterment of the local church. As Paul said, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:4-7). The work of ministry is too great for any one person to handle alone, but each of us can contribute in some way, and together we can fulfill the mission God has given us.

All believers have a job to do and a spiritual vacancy to fill. Just as the members of our physical body depend on each other for surviving and thriving, believers are also dependent on other believers and their spiritual gifts, and vice versa. And, contrary to popular belief, the church is not a country club where you pay your dues so that others can serve you—the church is the place where you serve others. Thus, we should never ask, “Should I serve my church?” Instead, the right question is always, “How can I best serve my church?”

Furthermore, the Lord always rewards such faithful service. The writer of Hebrews promised, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Heb. 6:10). Additionally, He will grant you all the grace that you need for service (1 Peter 4:10-11). How are you benefiting the body of Christ? How are you serving your church?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky. 

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word: