Giftedness Does Not Determine Greatness

"So, brothers and sisters,

what should you do?

When you meet together,

one person has a song,

and another has a teaching.

Another has a new truth from God.

Another speaks in a different language,

and another person interprets that language.

The purpose of all these things

should be to help the church grow strong."

1 Corinthians 14:26

READ 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

SITUATION The Corinthian Believers were so impressed by the glitz and wonder of spiritual gifts that they lost their perspective and forgot the purpose of these gifts.

OBSERVATION Spiritual gifts glorify God and build up the Body of Christ. Gifts should never be misused, envied, or cause division.

INSPIRATION The mark of Spirit-filled men and women is the fruit they bear. Fruit is the standard by which our walk with God can be measured. The Bible is crystal clear at this point. Yet is never ceases to amaze me how prone believers are to substitute other measuring devices or standards...

The two most popular substitutes for fruit are (1) spiritual gifts and (2) natural gifts.

It's not hard to figure out why gifts and talents are so readily substituted for fruit. It's easier to exercise a gift rather than to walk in the Spirit. Not only that, certain gifts and talents have a high entertainment value. When exploited in the right way, gifts and talents can be real crowd pleasers ... But none of these things are indications that a man or woman is under the control of the Holy Spirit...

Giftedness does not determine greatness in God's book. Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits." Not by how anointed they may appear to be. Not by the miracles they perform. Not by the revelation knowledge they claim to have. You will recognize God's hand of blessing on men and women by the fruit they bear. A man who claims to be doing miracles by the power of the Spirit but who exhibits no fruit of the Spirit in his life is either lying or confused... (From The Wonderful Savior by Charles Stanley)

APPLICATION When your priority becoming like Christ or getting a chance to use your gifts? Your gifts, talents and abilities should build up other Believers and bring unity in the church. If they're not quite doing that, check your attitudes.

EXPLORATION Spiritual Gifts and Unity-- Romans 13:3-8; 14:19; 15:1-6, 2 Corinthians 12:19-20; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 4:3-7, 11-16.

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The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus - Max Lucado General Editor, New Century Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers