The Gifts Are For The Common Good.

This morning I am thinking on the following verses from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV:

[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.

The first verse to catch my eye in this set is verse 7, for this is the foundational basis for all of Paul's next writing.  All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the common good.  They are given so that they may be experienced by the Body, enjoyed by the Body, and serve the Body.  All the gifts are given for the same reason.  All the gifts are distributed among all the believers, everyone has them, and we need them to be evident to be experienced and shared in for the common good.  This is not a full list of the Spiritual gifts, he add others later in this same chapter.  The point in they are all for the common good, the good of everyone.   For the Body to grow and mature, we must recognize and nurture those gifts so that we might mature as a body and enjoy the fullness of the gifts.

If all the gifts are given for the same reason, then all gifts are equally important to the life of the Body.  Paul goes into the analogy of the Body in the next section, and it is so important we grasp this idea.  All parts, every part, is necessary and is important.  Thus, we must invest in the strengthening and maturation of each part and each gift.  If I am exercising, but only exercise one part of the Body, I would grow abnormally and without the proper balance in my body.  For example, I might have huge biceps, but the rest of the arm and body would not be able to support these huge biceps.  My shoulders and upper back would ache constantly, and that would impact my overall ability to do anything.

No, we must recognize each our parts, and make room for everyone to exercise their gifts.  We must allow for practice and trying out these gifts.  Our normal life as a body must include opportunities for exercise, and trial and error.  No one who has never played baseball is going to be able to pick up a bat the first time and hit pitch after pitch into the bleachers.  It will take time to grow into the skills required to be successful.  In the same way, we must enter into and understand that Spiritual gifts are good, and thus it will take practice and perfection.  So let us not get l tangled up in rating the gifts, ranking the gifts, or putting the focus on just one gift. We need them all.  As a church, let us take this approach, recognizing and investing in all the gifts in all the people.

The Holy Spirit has distributed them according to His determination.  He is the one who is investing His gifts into all the people. We should trust Him, and work to fulfill that which He has determined is for our good.  The good of us all.

Amen!