Last Sunday, while preaching through 1 Corinthians 11, something crystallized in my heart: we do not gather to be fed—we gather to give. That truth cut through my own assumptions as much as anyone else’s.
“What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God...?”1 Corinthians 11:22 (KJV)
If we come to satisfy our own spiritual appetites, we have missed the meaning of the gathering. The Corinthians weren’t merely overeating—they were exposing hearts bent toward self. Worship had become self-service. Communion had become consumption.
Paul’s instruction was simple: If you are hungry, eat at home. The gathering is not about what you take; it is about what you bring.
As a pastor, I spend hours in prayer and preparation—studying the text, comparing translations, tracing words back through Greek usage, and asking what the Spirit is saying to the church (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). But no amount of pulpit labor can replace a believer’s personal walk with Christ.
If you are not feeding your soul all week—through Scripture (Psalm 1:2), prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), confession (1 John 1:9), and service (Galatians 5:13)—you will remain malnourished.
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again… and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”Hebrews 5:12 (KJV)
The church is not a restaurant. She is a family table. Every member brings a dish.
“When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine… Let all things be done unto edifying.”1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV)
Yes, everything is done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). But the body is alive, not silent.
If God gives you encouragement this week, share it (Hebrews 10:24–25). If He teaches you something, bring it. If a song rises in your heart, let it bless others (Colossians 3:16).
When we come to receive only, we leave empty. When we come to give, God multiplies what we offer.
“Give, and it shall be given unto you…”Luke 6:38 (KJV)
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister…”Mark 10:45 (KJV)
This is not rebuke—it is invitation.
Not to consume, but to contribute.
Not to be served, but to serve.
“If any man hunger, let him eat at home…”1 Corinthians 11:34 (KJV)
That is not why we gather.
We gather to give.