Day 27: Have You Opened Your Gift? Read Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; and Ephesians 4:11-13. We all like gifts – if we are normal. Sometimes we receive gifts to mark special events like graduations and promotions. Usually we receive gifts on Christmas and at each birthday. The Bible tell us that when we become a new creature in Christ, we receive a very special gift of a spiritual nature. Often it is called a spiritual gift. The Bible makes it very clear that Christians are called to “works of service.” The Holy Spirit has gifted each of us with spiritual gifts “just as he determines.” These unique and diverse gifts are to be used for the common good of the church. The Scripture passages for today reveal several things about the gifts of the Spirit. • Every believer is gifted with at least one spiritual gift. • Spiritual gifts are distributed according to the wisdom of God. • One spiritual gift is not more important than another. • Spiritual gifts are for service not for self. • Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talents. • Spiritual gifts vary but the purpose is always the same: unity and building up of the body of Christ. In the secular world, we often think of giftedness as unusual and very special. However, in God’s kingdom, giftedness is the norm. Spiritual gifts are not just for a privileged few; spiritual gifts are intentional, important, and needed. Consider this story. As a young child, Brooke Keith loved to help her grandmother bake desserts. She was especially fond of the chocolate cake her grandmother had perfected and her grandfather raved about. When Brooke married she looked forward to recreating many of the delicious recipes from her grandmother’s cookbook. Very early in her marriage, Brooke decided to surprise her new husband with the chocolate cake. Brooke began to gather the ingredients: milk, eggs, flour, sugar, and . . . baking soda. “Hmm. I don’t have any baking soda. Surely ½ teaspoon of baking soda will not make a difference,” she mused as she mixed and poured the batter. When the cake was served it was a horrible tasting disaster! Brooke attempted the recipe again and again (19 times) and each time it was horrible. Each attempt was a disaster because the cake was missing an ingredient: baking soda. This small but vitally important ingredient was vital to the success of the cake. (Brooke Keith, War Cry, January 2, 2010). Just as baking soda was vital to the cake; every spiritual gift is important and vital, no matter what it is or how small it may seem. Every Christian has a responsibility to discover and develop his or her gifts. Many have the impression that only those who have gifts for public ministry (preaching, teaching, music, etc.) can serve God in a meaningful way. Nothing could be farther from the truth. All believers have been gifted by God to serve, both in private and public ways, and all gifts are needed in the kingdom of God. By using your gifts, others are encouraged, built up, and reach maturity. By using our gifts to serve God and others, the Church experiences growth and unity and the world experiences God’s message of love and hope. So have you opened your gift? God has one for you, but the gift has to be unwrapped if it is to be enjoyed and used. In reality, the Church should look like the day after Christmas with the spiritual gifts of its members unwrapped and being used. So what are you waiting for? Open your gift and start using it today. What do I want to say to God today? What is God saying to me today?
Posted on: Sat, 29 Jun 2013 13:08:04 +0000
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