Introduction:
    There is a traditional religious teaching that says tongues is the least of the gifts. Please consider these thoughts.

1. Tongues is a gift of God. Even if the Word did classify it as the least of the gifts, it is a precious thing, offered by God for the benefit of all, and is not to be despised. The Word never classifies tongues as the least of the gifts. That is just a label some man put on it.

2. Jesus taught that he that is faithful with the least will be faithful also in much (Lk. 16. 10). Also, He taught that if you use that which you are given, more will be given to you, and if you don't use the least, the "one talent", then it will be taken from you and given to him who uses all the talents given to him (Matt. 25. 14-30). So even if tongues was the least, failure to use it means you lose what you have, and that grace, that talent or ability, is given to another, and you are cast aside into outer darkness as an unprofitable servant (vs. 30).

3. The Corinthians spoke in tongues a lot, and Paul said he spoke in tongues more than them all (1 Cor. 14. 18). Paul also taught to pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5. 17), and he taught the benefits of praying in tongues (1 Cor. 14. 2, 4, 16, 17), so he must have prayed in tongues constantly. And Paul said that he sought not his own profit, but he sought the good and well-being of others, and that we are to be followers of him, "even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 10. 33;   11. 1). So, if we are going to obey the Word, we need to be praying in tongues constantly, to follow Paul as he follows Christ, and keep ourselves built up on our most holy faith, so we can be of maximum benefit to others. Jude also taught this (Jude vs. 20-23).

4. Jesus taught that he who breaks the least of these commandments and teaches men to do so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5. 19). Even if tongues was the least of the gifts, based on this principle that Jesus was teaching these Jews in Matthew's gospel, it would be a serious matter to teach others to disregard it in any way whatsoever.

5. A straightforward exposition of the context from which this thought is derived, that tongues is the least of the gifts, will reveal the true intent of what Paul was saying. Starting with chapter 12...
A. God does not want us to be ignorant of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12. 1).
B. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the good of all (vs. 7-10).
C. The Spirit divides to every man severally as He wills (v. 11).(Are you saying if the Spirit divides to a person the ability to speak in tongues, this is of least importance?)
D. We all need each other with our various gifts, like a human body has different parts, but all are important. (Have somone try to come around to cut everybody's little finger off with a hatchet, and see if that little finger doesn't become very important!)  There is no "least", in importance. Everything that God gives, and everybody, is important. There is to be no schism (vs. 18-27).
E. Vs. 28-31. We are to covet earnestly the best gifts of ministry, of grace, and of the Spirit, to fulfill our calling. But all the ministry gifts (apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists--Eph. 4. 7-11), the gifts of grace (governments, showing mercy, etc.--Rom. 12. 5-8), and the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12. 7-11), are nothing compared to the excellence of love. Without love, everything is just like a noisy, clanging gong--irritating and unpleasant (1 Cor. 13. 1).
    Love is so great, it is greater than hope and faith . You sure can't say hope and faith are "least", for it is by hope and faith that we are saved (Rom. 8. 24;   Eph. 2.8). But the point Paul is making in the context of this whole passage is that we are to be operating in all the ministry gifts and the gifts of grace and the gifts of the Spirit, and in hope and faith, but none of this profits if we are not operating in love. Everything we do is to be done in love.
    Then, after an explanation of the use of the personal use of tongues versus the public use of tongues, and the role of prophecy, and guidelines for talkative women, Paul concludes the issue by saying, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14. 39, 40). (God's order can be quite confusing to the natural mind, as seen on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2).

Conclusion:
    God is the God of abundance. He abundantly equips His children with more than everything they need in order to overcome all things and to triumph always. He offers these weapons and equipment as gifts that are obtained by faith. If we earnestly desire everything He has for us, we will obtain that which we desire. If we, through fear, prejudice, lazy lukewarmness, or misinformation fail to use what God offers us, then let us not blame God for our failures. (As it is written, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge", Hos. 4. 6.).
    God desires that we live in the liberty of the love and grace of Jesus Christ. I want to encourage you to seek the fulness of Jesus Christ in your life, and as you focus on Him, you will receive abundance of grace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
    Do not let any person stop you from receiving all from Him. He loves you, and will only give you good things. You can trust Jesus Christ.
    Now, learn from Him and find rest to your soul (Matt. 11. 28-30).
    There is no least gift of God. All are great and precious. And they are available to you now, in abundance, through Jesus Christ your Lord, Lover, and Liberator.