Different Gifts, Same Spirit

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11

As followers of Jesus, we have received many gifts. While the following list is not comprehensive, the Scriptures tell us that forgiveness (Romans 5:15), eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) are just a few of the gifts we’ve received from our incredibly generous Father. But wait, there’s more! God’s goodness and generosity toward us does not stop there. We have all been given a spiritual gift. Our key scripture, 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11, says, “to each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given.” Read that again. It says, “to each person,” not to each pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, missionary, apostle, or any other type of person you can think of. If you are a person, then this scripture is talking about you! You have been given your own gift from the Holy Spirit.

But why? Why were we given a gift or “manifestation of the Spirit”? This same scripture tells us these gifts we're given “for the benefit of all.” I benefit from the gift you carry. Your friends, your family, this church, all people benefit from the gift the Holy Spirit gave you.

You know who else benefits from it? You! You are included in that little word, “all,” and you benefit from the Spirit’s gift. How does one benefit from these gifts? To answer that, we must discover what these gifts are.

There are nine spiritual gifts mentioned in this passage: The message (or word) of wisdom, the message (or word) of knowledge, the gift of faith, gifts of healing, performance (or working) of miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. This list of gifts is like a benefits package given to every believer. Is someone sick? The gift of healing is available. Does someone need a miracle? We have that covered, too. Do you need some encouragement? The gift of prophecy is here. Do you need to build yourself up? The gift of tongues is perfect for the job. The gifts are different, but they are given by the same Spirit. Since the same Spirit gives them, one gift isn’t more important than the other. There is no hierarchy at work here. The most important gift is the one that is needed at the time. In fact, 1 Corinthians 12 likens these gifts to the human body (anatomy). Is one part of the body more important or more valuable than the other? No. All the parts matter and work together to make the body function. The same is true of the gifts. They work together, making the body of Christ function, for the benefit of all. Just as there are many parts but one body, there are different gifts but the same Spirit.

God, I thank You for Your goodness and Your kindness toward us. I am so grateful for the way You care for us and provide for us through the many gifts You have given to us by Your Holy Spirit. I pray You would reveal to Your children the gift(s) You have given to them. I pray that as they prosper and grow in You this year, the gift(s) You have given to them would grow into a gift that is for the benefit of all. I ask for Your guidance to know which gift to use and when to use it. Amen.