Feeding Myself and Others

Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, his speech should be like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, his service should be from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
(1 Peter 4:7-11 Holman Christian Standard Bible®©)

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:

If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith;
if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching;
if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity;
leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
(Romans 12:3-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible®©)

If you are a hand, and you feed a mouth, the stomach will distribute the benefit to the whole body, including yourself. Seemingly unrelated benefits will be experienced when we are all doing our parts. I will bless members of the Body I never encounter directly when I do my part.

When we build each other up, especially when we do it directly, we all become capable of accomplishments that we could never do apart from the rest of the Body doing their parts.