What’s My Gift?

1 Cor 12:4

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them

When we were young parents, we worked very hard at Christmas time to get the same number of gifts with the same total value.  The simple solution would have been to get identical gifts for each kid. But, each of our children was unique.  Their tastes were different, their hobbies were different, their priorities were different.  Getting identical gifts served little to no purpose (other than to make the shopping easier).  When they unwrapped their gifts on Christmas they saw that each received something different but they knew the giver was the same.

When we look at our friends and neighbors, we see that each person has something to contribute.  They have different strengths, different abilities.  Of my best buddies, I have one that can help fix things, another that can talk the meaning of life, and yet another that allows me to just sit and enjoy his company.  Life would be easy if they ALL played golf, but what do I do on a rainy day? 

God has dictated that the Holy Spirit gives us different gifts so that we can work as a team.  Not to compete for the blue ribbon of excellence.  I once worked with a minister that would miraculously receive another gift whenever he discovered that someone in his domain had that particular gift.  He couldn’t allow for the growth of the church to supersede his need to be the best at having gifts.

Take your 1, 2, or 5 gifts and use them in a way that allows others to continue with their gifts.  Sooner or later they will need you and your gifts (and vice versa).  Be ready.