Life in the Body

Civic organizations, political organizations, businesses, and even non-profits are careful with their employees and those who make up their organization. They desire highly qualified individuals to be a part of their organization. Unqualified individuals or those who hamper the goals or effectiveness of the organization and its mission are generally dismissed.

That is how man thinks and how man organizes. God is different.

God keeps the weak. In the body of Christ (the church), the weak members are given prominence. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that those who “seem to be weaker are necessary.” He said that the members “without honor” were given “abundant honor.” (See 1 Corinthians 12:18-27.) So, a member of the body of Christ should never have the attitude that another member is unimportant or unnecessary.

This principle is easily illustrated with the human body. If I smack my thumb with a hammer, I don’t cut off my thumb. Instead, my other hand holds it, and my tear ducts might even activate. Other body members work harder to do the work that the injured thumb would ordinarily do. They also provide protection for the injured thumb. The same thing could be said for a weakness in the body. Where there is injury or weakness, the other members of my body respond.

The Christian widows in Jerusalem who were overlooked are an example this principle at work in the early church. When their situation was brought to light, they were given “abundant honor.” How? Others humbled themselves to provide for them and serve them. They were not forgotten or cast aside or forced out because of their needs; they were considered important. (See Acts 6.)

In God’s church the strong rally around those who are weak and those who have needs. The weak and needy are given abundant honor as they are shown that they are important. Those who are able to provide assistance give the needed support or attention. They treat those who are weak or in need as equals. In that, the weak and needy are shown abundant honor.

It is necessary for the members of Christ to respond to many kinds of needs: financial, employment, parental, assistance in and around the home, or simple conversation. Some may need spiritual help: teaching or help dealing with sin. Not everyone in the body responds to every need, but those who are healthy and strong and who have opportunity respond.

We do not cast off members of Christ’s body just because there are needs or because of weakness. We give. We console. We assist. We serve. We teach. We appeal. We rebuke. We pray. But most of all we keep. We keep those who are weak and needy because God does.

In the body of Christ, we consider others as more important than ourselves. We are the body of Christ...and we give attention to those who are weak and in need.



Mark Stinnett

September 6, 2026