January 12, 2000
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Spiritual gifts are given
for the common good
___Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11
___By Debra Hochgraber
___Women's Evangelism Consultant, BGCT, Dallas
___One of our church members gave me a gift a few years ago. It was a book she was sure I would enjoy. I received the gift, thanked her for it, but did not read it. There were various reasons-- no time in my schedule for casual reading, little interest in the story line,an author unknown to me. I placed the book on a shelf and forgot about it.
___A year later, I happened to pick it up and read a little. It was wonderful, very refreshing and encouraging. I sought other books by the author and have encouraged family and friends to read them. Why had I waited so long to do something with the gift that dear woman had given me? I had doubted that she knew me well enough to know what I would enjoy.
___God gives so many gifts--life, family, friends, sunshine, laughter. We receive each one gratefully. As Christians, we have received his greatest gift, salvation through his Son. His word tells us he also has given each of his children at least one spiritual gift. Some are not aware of this gift of his Spirit. But many of those gifts have been set aside, just like my book.
___These gifts are given "for the common good" of the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7). The preceding verses reveal that each member of the church is given gifts chosen by God for specific purposes determined by God, with effects produced by God. The analogy shared by Paul in the rest of chapter 12 makes it clear that the use of these gifts by each person is very important to the entire body of the church. Centuries later, the point has been proved. The church continues to fall behind in reaching the lost of our world with the gospel. Ministry and salvation are the results when people are willing to use their gifts alongside other believers for the purposes determined by God. Thousands of Christians have set their gifts aside, often not even caring what their gifts are.
___Perhaps we think it would take too much time to discover or develop the gift. Maybe our gift does not seem as special as others we have seen. Possibly, the purpose for our gift does not seem important enough, or so important that we feel uncomfortable. Do we doubt that God knows us well enough to select the proper gift for us?
___Or could it be that we are a little selfish? Almost every gift that God has given us is for our personal good blessings from our heavenly Father.
___Spiritual gifts are not given to bless us personally. They are given "for the common good" (v. 7). Are they simply not as important to us?
___Teach new believers about their gifts. Encourage all believers to discover their gifts. Allow the Lord to further develop gifts he has revealed already and use them for his purposes.
___There is a lot of potential on dusty shelves.
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