“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit” I Corinthians 12:4
Paul writes these words to the Church in Corinth who are apparently ranking the importance of gifts and talents among their parishioners. Underlying this is a ranking of how important a person is in the Church and feeding the sin of pride. Paul does well to address this that although there are different gifts, they come from the same Spirit and are therefore equally important. He goes on to make the point that such gifts are but temporary, used in this life to draw people to Christ. He then encourages the Church to seek more those attributes that endure, namely, faith, hope and love.
(I Cor. 13:13)
Like the Church in Corinth, we too may be tempted to rank the importance of people and their service and thereby cause divisions through our pride. God’s Word would remind us that all gifts are important and necessary and that there is no small offering or task as we give them in service to the Lord. Prayerfully, this would encourage us to offer our gifts and to volunteer, to assist and participate knowing that it is all for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
I encourage all of you to seek out and pray for God’s gifts knowing that He will answer and as He does to then exercise those gifts in service to the advancement of His Kingdom. As we do, we should also seek out the greater, eternal gifts of faith, hope and love, all found in Christ Who has served us in love granting us the Kingdom!
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy!
Pastor Kilian