Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14
1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
The purpose of spiritual gifts in the body of Christ is to edify the church. The whole point of chapter 14 is that when you speak in a language no one else understands it does no good to the church. It is not spiritual, it is prideful. It draws attention to you, but does not build up the body. Words spoken in church should be done with the purpose of teaching, exhorting and encouraging the church. How do you encourage and edify other believers? Do you use the gifts God has given you to do that? There are many ways.
Unfortunately, many neglect their gifts either thinking they are not flashy enough or they sit around waiting for something amazing to happen that thrusts them into the limelight. We see many celebrity preachers these days. Sometimes believers think that is what God needs to do in their life. But that is not what God’s Word teaches us. He teaches us that every man has the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of the gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
These gifts are not the same in every believer.
1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The gifts are a stewardship. They are given to us by the Holy Spirit as he wills. They are the manifestation of the grace of God to be used to edify the body of Christ. It has been said that they are tools, not toys. These gifts are beneficial to the body and needful. How do you use your gifts? Isn’t it interesting that there is no inventory in the Bible on how to determine your gift? It is assumed that you will discover by God’s design.
Do you want to know what your gifts are? Here is how:
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Stop worrying about the gifts and tell God that you belong totally to him and will do whatever he says and go wherever He sends. Love God and love others and you will soon know how God works through you!
In Christ,
Rody
