Consumers vs. Contributors
Your Gift

Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:7

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

If you are a believer and follower of Jesus, you have been given a very special gift.  What makes it special is the “Giver” of that gift—God Himself.  How could anyone feel that their gift is not very special when God granted that gift to them?  The Bible is very clear—all Christ followers are recipients of at least one gift from God: “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.”

            The Apostle Paul, in describing these gifts in our scripture passage for today, lets us know they are given so every single believer can contribute to the building of God’s kingdom.  God wants His kingdom to expand so much that He calls us into His service and equips us with exactly what we need to do that service.  Our only responsibility is to discover our God-given gift and faithfully use it.

            You will recognize your gift as you start to investigate it.  As you try different types of serving, one of them will energize you.  That doesn’t mean you are not tired after serving in that area but it does mean you have this deep conviction: “This is what I was made for.”  Let me encourage you to try several areas of service to God’s kingdom.  After serving in each area, do a review of how it made you feel and if others confirmed your giftedness.

Father, thank you for my gift!  Help me to develop it and faithfully use it to help your kingdom march forward.  In Jesus’ name, amen.