Yes and amen to all of that.
The larger point of Ephesians 4 is spiritual maturity. We do not “grow up into Christ who is the head” unless and until we have learned to receive his gifts and share them as the basic form of economics in the reign of God incarnate– i.e., in real life, here and now. Children hoard– but adults bless and share, if they have indeed become “mature” in Christ.

A beautiful summary! Plenty of detail to fill in but with our typical framing of hierarchy this is a needed corrective.

In regards to Taylor #1, who says “in real life, here and now. Children hoard– but adults bless and share, if they have indeed become “mature” in Christ” I disagree.
I have five nieces and a nephew, all between 4 and 7, who generally will share anything with each other or their relatives, but will often share with “strangers” in their church or at their home who appear to lack something the children value.
Sadly, I also have reserves about the adults. I see far too many adults who appear in many ways “mature in Christ” who do not hoard, but are very careful to make sure that their giving does not make them uncomfortable in any way.
I take your point about maturing in Christ, and I know there is some over-generalization here. But I write from what I have seen.
Peace,
Randy G.

hmm. There seems to be more and more writing on the ascension these days.
3. “The nature of his rule is not to lord it over but to invite others to participate in and extend his rule.” captures it for me; I’ve been writing on the subject from a (social) Trinitarian angle; namely the thought of man in all of our creatureliness ascended into the community that is God. Taking Moltmann’s lead here. While I think it’s compelling as a social template, at the same time I’ve gotten some flack for dabbling too much into the Immanent.

I love the emphasis on gift-based ministry and servcie. Then it really does depend on the Spirit and the determination of the Spirit. May we be led by the Spirit in this manner in the church today.