NAD Adventist Single Adult Ministries : Forum

The reference to singleness as a "gift" orginates in one of Paul's letters to the Corinthians. As a single adult serving Christ, Paul wishes that all men and women could be like him (1 Cor. 7:7) Paul boldly declares both marriage and singleness to be gifts bestowed by God. Often people neglect to see both as gifts, and in so doing, regard singleness as a social oddity. Finally, note that Paul does not pit the two marital states against each other, but stresses the significance of each gift. Both are given by God. How does a single person know which 'gift' has been selected for them? The common response, even among many Bible scholars, proposes that contentment is the deciding factor. In other words, the gift of singleness equates with one's satisfaction in living solo. Whatever marital or nonmarital status we find ourselves in as Paul declares we must "...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."Phil 4:11

The above thoughts are taken from They Were Single Too by David M. Hoffeditz and published in 2005 by Kregel Publications.

This week, June 26-July 2, 2008 and next, we are studying the life of this single man; Paul. To observe this man of God, one has to conclude that he was not tied down to a family/spouse because of his freedom to travel and work for His master the way he did. Perahps that is a reason why God allows some to remain single because they can focus soley on the work that God has entrusted to them.