Listen

There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Think

How often do I compare myself to others? Who has the nicer clothes? Who has the better behaved pet or maybe the one that does the most tricks or the one that is the smartest? Is that person smarter than me? Do people like her more? Who has the cooler spiritual gift? Who does the most at church? Who is recognized more for her spiritual gifts? Whom does God love more?

As a human being, I tend to compare myself to others. It is easy to think what I can do affects my rating in God’s eyes. Paul is teaching the Corinthians about important spiritual matters. Lesson #2: Spiritual gifts, ministries, and activities do not come from me. There is one Spirit, Lord, and God who produces them all. I should not use them to compare myself to others. That is not their purpose. They are produced by God for God’s purposes. When I think I am the source of my gifts, I am confused about my place in the order of God’s universe.

Deborah Guy

Pray

Gracious God, you know the gifts you intend for me to have and to use for your glory. May I remember from whence they came and Whose I am. Amen.

Go

Go into the world being the distribution point of all the gifts God has given you, so that the world may know God’s glory and believe.