Spiritual Gifts . . . Designer Labels

Week 39, Tuesday

Rhonda Kelley

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8 (hcsb)

Have you ever received a gift without knowing the identity of the giver? To this day, I wear a lovely bracelet given to me years ago by an unknown friend. I wear it with appreciation, but I still wonder who gave it to me. As Christians, we are given spiritual gifts. We can be confident of the giver’s identity—God. And we can celebrate being the recipient.

Scripture is clear about the source of all spiritual gifts as well as the identities of all recipients. God distributes His Spirit as well as spiritual gifts to each believer (see Acts 2:38). According to His grace, we are given different gifts (see Romans 12:3-8). The Spirit gives spiritual gifts to each believer (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). He personally gave spiritual gifts to each member of the body (see Ephesians 4:11-16). By His grace, God gifts every one of His children to minister to others and glorify His name (see 1 Peter 4:7-11). This biblical truth is repeated often in Scripture.

God, the great designer of all things, has created a label just for you. As a committed child of Jesus Christ, you should accept these gifts as He assigns them and wear your designer label proudly!

Dear Lord, remind me that You are the giver of all gifts! It is You who gives me exactly the spiritual gifts I need. Let me receive them with gratitude. You are the Designer; I am not. Help me to be grateful for those spiritual gifts you give me. They are the designer labels I am proud to wear! In Your precious name, amen.