Help from the Holy Spirit #3
| There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit There are different kinds of service but the same Lord There are different kinds of working but the same God works all of them in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1Corinthians12:4-7) |
As we saw yesterday, it is the fruit that are vital and not the gifts.
The gifts are given for the common good of the church. They are God's toolbox which He gives to His people to get the job done. He gives gifts to the body as the body has need. This means that we will not necessarily get the gifts we want, but we will be given the gifts that the Church needs.
There are some gifts unfortunately that attract more attention than others, but all are equally important. Some people are shocked to discover that administration and generosity are gifts too!
Talents and gifts are not the same thing. It is true that sometimes some of our talents can be gifts, but not every talent is a gift. Sometimes God will take a talent I have and enhance it as I use it for Him - then it becomes a gift. The three main lists of gifts are in 1Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4.
The important thing is that we should realise that when it comes to getting the job done, God does not leave the church to struggle along on its own - He gives gifts. These are not our gifts but His: He lends them to us to help build the church and as the needs of the church change, so may the gifts that God lends me...
