Spiritual Gifts . . . Designed for Distribution
Week 39, Weekend
Rhonda Kelley
If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (hcsb)
Spiritual gifts are not merely talents. While talents are natural abilities received through inheritance and are mostly for personal pleasure, spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by God for the benefit of others. Talents fulfill our own desires and expectations, while spiritual gifts fulfill God’s desires and expectations. God has designed spiritual gifts for distribution to others. They are not only for your personal consumption!
Paul expressed this biblical principle in 1 Corinthians 13. Christians are to use their spiritual gifts to love others, share truth, live by faith, and feed the poor. If I have the gift of prophecy but do not love those to whom I am prophesying, I am nothing. If I have the gift of faith and do not love others, I am nothing. If I unselfishly give all I have to the poor but do not love them, I am nothing. Spiritual gifts are wasted if they are not given away. In the same way that love is not true love until you give it away, spiritual gifts are not spiritual gifts until they are given to others.
Do you know people who can sing but hesitate to sing in worship? Do you know ladies who can teach but decline to teach a Bible study? Do you know someone who is organized but won’t assume a position of leadership? There are many stuffed Christians who are hoarding their gifts. Don’t be a stuffed Christian! Discover and develop your spiritual gifts then utilize them to minister to people around you. Your spiritual gifts were designed for distribution!
Dear Lord, You love me and command me to love others. Teach me the meaning of true love. True love is extended unselfishly to others. Help me share my spiritual gifts with others in love. May Your love always flow through me as I minister to those in need. In Your precious name, amen.