It may seem strange thing to say, but it is possible to want to be 'spiritual' for 'unspiritual' reasons. The apostle here is dealing with the place of tongues and prophecy in the church. Remember he was writing before the completion of the canon of scripture and so the Lord still spoke to his people in that manner. These things, Paul has already reminded us, would in due course cease (14:8-10). But in the church at Corinth there was great confusion. Paul must continually remind them that these things are to be under control, whereas it seems to have been something of a free-forall, each probably seeking to outdo the other. Paul realises that the members of the church were no longer concerned about the welfare of the church but of their own reputation in the eyes of others.

Gifts, of all sorts, were given to the church for the benefit of the church. It is possible to want a gift for the wrong reasons. Gifts were given for service, and, like the steward of whom Jesus speaks, no doubt if not used properly, could be taken away. Selfishness has no place in the service of God. Our example is that of Jesus who “being in very nature God . . . made himself nothing, and taking the very nature of a servant, . . he humbled himself.” (Phil.2:6-8)