2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Esther 4:1-7:10 ESV, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26 ESV, Psalm 36:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 21:21-22 ESV
Daily Verse: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4 ESV)
DIAIRESIS (1243): “A distinction or variety: difference, diversity.”[i]
Diversified gifts.
Paul writes about the variety of spiritual gifts God gives us, yet we all share the same Holy Spirit. God invented smart investing. Diversified skills make a complete body.
Every money manager knows you must diversify investments. Instead of putting all your money in one place, spread it around. When one investment falters, another one thrives, creating a balanced portfolio.
From a spiritual perspective, we would have an unbalanced body if we shared the same gifts. Someone must have the gift of hospitality, making people feel welcome, while someone else teaches, another cares for needs, and someone else covers everyone in prayer. Our gifts create a balanced body when we work together to build the kingdom.
One Spirit.
God’s Spirit weaves our gifts together. Instead of comparing your talents to someone else’s, work with them. Discover the things that God blessed you with, then use them to honor and serve Him. Giving God the glory for your gifts draws people to Him. Using our talents well sets an example for others to do the same.
One of my friends possesses the gift of encouragement. Now and then, she sends me random texts that feed my soul. Yesterday I received a simple meme with these words:
“The world is a better place because you are in it.”
In an instant, my heart blossomed. Weary from teaching tennis in the 90-degree weather, reading the words energized me and spurred me onward. My friend uses her gifts well, urging people forward on the journey and helping them persevere when they feel like quitting.
Discover your gifts; God created a variety of talents. Using what the Maker gave you to further the kingdom will fill your heart with joy. When we use our God-given gifts in unison with the body of Christ, the kingdom grows, and we find the joy of the Lord.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 65) Thomas Nelson
