1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
“…4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; …”
Most of us realize that the Spirit distributes gifts unevenly. Some people seem to have an abundance of gifts while others seemingly lack. Yet, all are given the gifts needed for them to contribute to the work and ministry of the Spirit in the world. When all use their gifts appropriately, all benefit. That is the beauty of the gifts of the Spirit.
However, we also know that some do not recognize the gifts they have been given, and some do not use their gifts. While the former can be helped to identify and put into practice their God-given abilities, those who choose not to use them create a more difficult problem. After all, it is only when all are employing their gifts in collaboration with others that the fullness of mission and ministry can be accomplished. That is why Paul and the Church encourage us to not only recognize the gifts of the Spirit but seek to use them to benefit others and world. In this way, the variety of the gifts given by the Spirit find their full potential, just as God intended.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gifts of the Spirit. Open my eyes this day that I may not only recognize the gifts You have given me but seek to use them for the sake of Your Kingdom. Amen.