Note 16 at 1Co 14:12: Paul was presenting the proper motive for going to church. It is to bless others. We should look forward to church as an opportunity to share with others what God has given us. Too often, the motive for going to church is to pay a debt to God or to get blessed personally. Of course, there are times when we need the help of our brothers and sisters in Christ, but it really is more blessed to give than to receive (Ac 20:35).

With this in mind, members of the body of Christ should be prepared to give of themselves when they go to church, just as they would expect the minister to be prepared. It wouldn't be right for the minister to just show up and not have anything to give. Likewise, it's not right for members of the church to just show up and warm a pew. They should pray and be expectant that the Lord will use them to show love to someone else, or minister through the gifts, as Paul was presenting here.