To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-13
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are unique as gifts in that they aren’t actually for the recipient. God does not give spiritual gifts for the individual, but He entrusts gifts to people to be used for the good of His body. They are gifts to us as a Church, even though you might be the holder of one.
If I have been given the gift to teach, I need to be diligent to share what I am learning. It’s not about my personal platform. If pastoring, then I need to shepherd – in the place of His choosing and not mine. The gift of wisdom is not for personal choices alone, but to help others and also to guide the Church.
Will I grow spiritually by teaching? Of course. But I didn’t receive a gift so I can be a better person or as some type of reward. Having a gift is not up to us and is not an indication of our maturity (although how we use it may be.) You can see evidence in my personal journey by looking to see if the fruit of the Spirit is growing and evident in me. Fruit has to do with what God is doing in me. Gifts have to do with what God is doing in and through the Church.
The gifts are all tools to equip His Church and further His Kingdom, to enable it to do what God is calling it to do. We’re counting on the gift God gave us through you. Please share it. And I will do likewise.
Thank you, Lord, for the mighty gifts you gave to us. Let us exercise them fully by Your grace and power.
So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13
