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.
-1 Corinthians 12:4-11
The purpose of God’s gifts to us is to be a blessing to our community. We live in such an individualistic and capitalistic world that we have been conditioned to think selfishly of our gifts—spiritual, material, or otherwise. The common selfish mindset is always, “How can this benefit me?”
So when we pray, we pray often for ourselves in mind and not for others in mind. For example, we oftentimes pray, “God help me to get into a good college” because we want to get into a good school and get a good job and make good money for ourselves. There are very few people, even Christians, who pray, “God help me to get into a good college so I can be a blessing to others.” I’m not sure I’ve even heard that prayer prayed out loud before.
As Christians, we can’t see our gifts as only for us. The sole purpose of God’s to us is always to benefit the community. Think of all the gifts God has given you. Start asking Him, “God, how can I use this for the community? What do you want me to do?”
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