"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8
"I really wish I could do ____________ like so-and-so does." Ever caught yourself saying or thinking such a thought? You see another person, especially a brother or sister in Christ, and you see how they seem to have a gift for something in particular that you seem to be lacking, and you really wish you could do the same thing.
There are many times where we want to be like someone that we perceive as having a greater "quantity" of some spiritual gift that we ourselves seem to be lacking. And I could spend a whole post on that subject, and perhaps will in the future. But perhaps you've also been on the other end of this spectrum. It's the one that looks something like that.
"Why can't so-and-so just ________________ like I do?" Let's say, for example, that you find it really pretty easy to be generous with your time, money, and possessions. And then, you look around at many of your fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus, and you wonder why they just cannot seem to do like you find it so easy to do. They seem to hold on tight-fisted to the things that God has given them, and you wonder why they can't see that freely and generously giving is actually a great blessing.
Could it be that God disperses even these kinds of gifts in different "quantities?" St. Paul, in the quotation from Romans above, seems to indicate so. And that presents a challenge to those who have received greater proportions of the gifts.
Do you look down on others who aren't able to manifest these gifts as easily or well as you are able to? If so, that's a misuse of the gift that God has given you. He has given you such a gift to build up the body of Christ, not to look upon yourself as one who is exalted because you received a greater proportion of the gift. Sure, it's acceptable to serve as an example, but remember, an example is one that demonstrates to others how to be built up in the gift, not to exalt one's self for having the greater proportion.
If you discover that you have been given a greater proportion of a spiritual gift than others, rejoice and be thankful to God. He has given you a great gift. At the same time, remember that humility is the best road to follow as you interact with others who have received a lesser proportion of the gift. Humility strives to teach them, to raise them up, and to see them grow in the gift, rather than exalting yourself at their expense.
"I really wish I could do ____________ like so-and-so does." Ever caught yourself saying or thinking such a thought? You see another person, especially a brother or sister in Christ, and you see how they seem to have a gift for something in particular that you seem to be lacking, and you really wish you could do the same thing.
There are many times where we want to be like someone that we perceive as having a greater "quantity" of some spiritual gift that we ourselves seem to be lacking. And I could spend a whole post on that subject, and perhaps will in the future. But perhaps you've also been on the other end of this spectrum. It's the one that looks something like that.
"Why can't so-and-so just ________________ like I do?" Let's say, for example, that you find it really pretty easy to be generous with your time, money, and possessions. And then, you look around at many of your fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus, and you wonder why they just cannot seem to do like you find it so easy to do. They seem to hold on tight-fisted to the things that God has given them, and you wonder why they can't see that freely and generously giving is actually a great blessing.
Could it be that God disperses even these kinds of gifts in different "quantities?" St. Paul, in the quotation from Romans above, seems to indicate so. And that presents a challenge to those who have received greater proportions of the gifts.
Do you look down on others who aren't able to manifest these gifts as easily or well as you are able to? If so, that's a misuse of the gift that God has given you. He has given you such a gift to build up the body of Christ, not to look upon yourself as one who is exalted because you received a greater proportion of the gift. Sure, it's acceptable to serve as an example, but remember, an example is one that demonstrates to others how to be built up in the gift, not to exalt one's self for having the greater proportion.
If you discover that you have been given a greater proportion of a spiritual gift than others, rejoice and be thankful to God. He has given you a great gift. At the same time, remember that humility is the best road to follow as you interact with others who have received a lesser proportion of the gift. Humility strives to teach them, to raise them up, and to see them grow in the gift, rather than exalting yourself at their expense.
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