Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:11-16
The obvious lesson in this Scripture is that no one person can do everything. As some have said, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” The best any one person can do is dabble a little here and there in multiple fields or professions, but cannot devote any meaningful amount of time to any particular focus or take the time to build a high skill level. To some extent, being able to competently perform a variety of tasks is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, if a person only did one thing all his life, he would be in trouble if he suddenly lost the physical ability to perform that task, although still possessing the ability to perform other tasks.
So the lesson here seems to be two-fold. First, we should celebrate the diversity of gifts and abilities because it means any one person does not have to be a master of all trades. Second, to develop the necessary experience and skill to become a master in your field of talent, many of the other fields of interest must be let go.
However, there is another lesson to be learned which seems to be hidden within the Scripture. Recall in 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 that Paul said we are many members comprising one body. Every gift, talent and ability is necessary for our world to function. We need teachers, carpenters, blacksmiths, scientists, engineers, missionaries, pastors, farmers, etc. Each field represents an important part of the overall function of our world.
Yet there are some who believe they are better than everyone else simply because of where they went to school, how much money they have, or what their last name is. Nowhere in Scripture is an elite group of people honored by God simply because of their social status. Christ butted heads with the Pharisees and Sadducees who believed they were better than everyone else, and certainly better than Gentiles and “Barbarians.” But what qualified them for that type of elite status?
Consider your toes. For most of the day, they spend their time hidden from view, stuck in the damp, warm environment of your socks and shoes. When people meet you, they see your face. They never ask about your toes or compliment you on your toes, although you may receive compliments on your smile, complexion, makeup, jewelry, hair or other facial features and adornments. Yet your toes form a critical part of your body because they help you walk and keep your balance when standing. Why, then, is one more important than the other?
Could it be that importance is not to be gauged on appearances, but rather on function? It seems this Scripture was written for us not so much that we would allow each other to thrive and flourish in their respective field of talent but that we do not elevate one talent or profession over another. Is a lawyer or doctor more important than a lumberman or blacksmith? Some may say yes. But without the lumberman, the lawyer would not have the paper on which to draw up documents for clients. And without the blacksmith, the doctor would not have instruments with which to diagnose and treat patients.
How then can one group of people legitimately call themselves elite? God certainly does not recognize an elite group of people or favor people who have a particular pedigree. The underlying purpose of this Scripture, therefore, seems to be more than just liberating us from having to perform tasks in all fields to be part of society. The greater purpose and meaning of this Scripture is that we must have respect for each other and for the gifts, talents and professions of each other, even regardless of the educational background, family relationships or number of zeroes behind the dollar sign representing their wealth.
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