The Church Construction Paraphrase of I Corinthians 13
By Rebekah B. March
Though we speak with the tongues of men and of angels about church growth and plans for expansion, but make no plans for building a climate of love, caring, and spiritual growth for our people, our plans will be empty. And any building erected will be only a hollow symbol of Christianity.
Though we have faith to believe God will move his people to provide the necessary funds, yet do not love and trust each other, our efforts will be fruitless.
And though we bestow much money, and sacrifice personal luxuries for concrete and mortar, without love, we will be adding nothing to our treasures in the kingdom of heaven.
Building a climate of love and unity takes time and patience. Love deals kindly with everyone, no matter what his position in life.
Love leaves no room to envy the large churches others have built.
It will not blame others for lack of vision and good planning.
It does not seek to carry out its own plans while laying the financial burden on others.
Love’s motives are pure. It tells the whole truth about the means of financing.
Love is patient when the building contractor makes an error. It believes he really is trying to do his best.
Love endures to the end of the project, seeing each detail completed.
Believers working together in love and unity will produce far more than a building. For buildings serve their purpose and one day crumble. Yet the fruit of love is harmony and spiritual growth and redemption for unbelievers.
Our insights into God’s plan for a building will change. For we know in part and plan in part.
But when the end of the age comes and we see God’s great plan, we’ll understand all he has in mind for us.
For the present, however, we plan in finite ways because we are only human, with human understanding and limitations.
Now there abides faith to go ahead with our expansion project, hope that God will guide and give wisdom, and love – a caring, sharing climate in which he can carry on his work.
But the greatest of these is love that unites believers in every endeavor, even building projects.