Do not love the world or the things in the world. 1 John 2:12-17  “Don’t chase the dollar, chase the dream.” A line straight out of the movie “BIG” is excellent encouragement from the producer of a gifted, young, up and coming rap star. It worked, but unfortunately short-lived, when the part of the “world” that is rivalry; physically took his life. 1 Timothy 6:10 reads; “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” This reminds us that our desire to use our gifts successfully can not be driven by riches. Cultivating any gift whether in music, sports, dance, etc., requires discipline. If our desire is to have success in that gift we have to work at it. Such is our spiritual relationship with God. When we focus on the gift that is life in the Spirit as expressed in the life of Christ. We then participate as producers and agents of the gift of the Spirit that God has given us. Focusing on the world takes away from God. Focusing on the gift of the Spirit gives back.

The gifts he gave were … for building up the body of Christ…until all of us come to the unity of the faith… Ephesians 4