Singleness, Voluntary Poverty, and Martyrdom—Gifts?
In 1 Corinthians, Chapter 7, where Paul speaks about married life and singleness, he states in verse 7 “I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that,” referring to his own gift of living the single life.
This passage does seem to fit the pattern of Paul’s other references to spiritual gifts—one has this one, another has another…so singleness could be considered a gift. Perhaps in not acknowledging this, we have set up those who are called to singleness—or gifted in such a way to live a life of being single—to feel less-than and to define themselves by their “unmarried” status in churches that elevate marriage and family oftentimes to the exclusion of singleness. This is not to denigrate marriage, which was instituted by the Lord, given as something sacred, to also mirror His love for His Body, the Church, His Bride…and as part of His design that we live and minister in relationship. It’s simply to say, like with other gifts—we are each called and gifted differently according to God’s plan, to carry out His purposes in this world.
There are other potential gifts that we don’t talk much about—two examples seen in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
In these verses—right in the center of Paul’s lengthy treatise on spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14), we see a list of gifts that includes tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and then perhaps voluntary poverty and martyrdom. Is there a separate gift of voluntary poverty—or is this description simply an extension of the gift of giving—which, by definition, enables one to live on as little as possible in order to free up resources for God’s Kingdom? Is verse 3 also referring to the gift of martyrdom—which is usually not chosen but happens to the eventual martyr or is it a part of what comes with the gift of prophecy or leadership or even apostleship or evangelism? Perhaps it’s something that comes with being out front, speaking truth, and encountering rejection—which can and does happen with all of those gifts. Perhaps voluntary poverty and martyrdom are gifts…perhaps Paul is simply calling all of us to live sacrificially and boldly, with endurance and perseverance (messages we see throughout his epistles) no matter the gifts we have.
By the same token, is the gift of singleness an extension of one of the other gifts? Apostleship? Prophecy? Leadership? Faith? Evangelism? Miraculous Powers? Not that everyone with these gifts is also called to a single life, but these gifts may put someone in a position of great risk-taking and that person may also find that their call to be single is supernaturally enabled by the Spirit—which could certainly be a gift.
No matter where this discussion lands, we do see that, throughout Scripture, the Lord calls us to Himself—ALL of ourselves—our gifts, our talents, our experiences, our very lives. Whether or not singleness, voluntary poverty, and martyrdom are gifts or callings may not really be the issue. What is the Lord saying to you? How is He purposing you in this season?
And, need I remind us: we all will and do live lives of singleness at some points—until we are married, after a partner dies, after the dissolution of a marriage. In fact, many of us will live many years as singles—and churches and ministries would do well to remember this when caring for everyone in their midst. Marriage is sacred, but so is singleness. Every gift matters.
Discover your gifts: Spiritual Gifts Assessment
Additional Resources:
• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Equipping Ministries Director at her church since 1999.
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