1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (ESV)
12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
12 Now concerning[a] spiritual gifts,[b] brothers,[c] I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1) Gifts are gifts, not rewards.
gifts:
a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.
reward:
a thing given in recognition of one’s service, effort, or achievement.
1 Corinthians 1:7 (ESV)
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
2) Every Christian has gifts.
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
Ephesians 4:7 (ESV)
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
3) Individual gifts are given for the whole.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
4) Every Christian should cultivate their gifts.
Romans 12:3-8 (ESV)
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[b] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[b] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.