ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
Opening Prayer
As you prepare to read today, reflect on the generosity of God, and be thankful.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1–11
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What gifts has God given you to share with your fellow believers?Here’s another source of division: the attitude in the church at Corinth seems to have run along the lines of, “My gift is better than your gift,” particularly where tongues was concerned. Hang on, says Paul; a gift is a gift. They all come from the same Spirit and the same Lord. And he gives as he chooses.
A healthy growing church needs a variety of gifts, just as a healthy body needs different limbs (more on that tomorrow). Gifts are given for the good of the whole church, not so that individuals can look good. Paul has a different list in Romans 12, suggesting that both lists give examples and the full range of gifts is wider than either. If he were writing today he might include others. Churches take different views on which gifts are available to the church today.
Each of us has been given something which we are to use to build up the church. Our responsibility is to use it, not to look enviously (or disparagingly) at someone else’s. An orchestra requires many different instruments playing together in harmony—so does a church. And the tune we play together reminds us and others that Jesus is Lord (3).
Apply
Do you know what your gifts are? Ask a spiritual leader or take a spiritual gifts assessment.
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, for the gifts You have given to me. Help me to use them for the benefit of the whole church.
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