The Best Gifts
(1 Cor 12) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. -2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. -3. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. -4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. -5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. -6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. -7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. -8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; -9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; -10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: -11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. -12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. -13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. -14. For the body is not one member, but many. -15. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? -16. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? -17. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? -18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. -19. And if they were all one member, where were the body? -20. But now are they many members, yet but one body. -21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. -22. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: -23. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. -24. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: -25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. -26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. -27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. -28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. -29. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? -30. Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? -31. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
But covet earnestly the best gifts the writer tells us. What does he mean by the best gifts? Aren't all the gifts the best gifts? Our subject today is The Best Gifts. As we study this subject together, you will be able to understand by the Bible that there are spiritual gifts that are suited to you and that those are the best gifts for you. You are a unique creation and there are certain spiritual gifts that are the best for you and those are the ones that you should desire. What God wants you to do is to seek out those spiritual gifts that would enhance your ability to work for Him and then to desire them.
The first verse of our text lets us know that we should not be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts - (1 Cor 12:1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Therefore, we are studying this subject today to help you to understand spiritual gifts.
So let us continue then with our study of 1 Cor. 12: In verse 5 we are told - Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. Here we see that all gifts are not the same, but that there are diversities of gifts or different gifts. However, we are reminded that all spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit which is the giver of spiritual gifts. Now the writer goes on to tell us of how those differences work in some specific situations: -5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. Differences of administrations or of operations. We are different beings with different makeup's and abilities and personalities and therefore we do things in our own unique way. That does not make one way better or worse. It is allowed by God and He makes use of our differences that the church may be profited.-6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. -7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. Yes, every Christian is given some gift by the Spirit. Every one has the ability to be used of God in some way. He now goes on to list some of the different gifts of the Holy Spirit: -8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; -9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; -10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: -11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. Since the spirit know our being in a complete fashion it is his job to give you the gifts that are best suited for you. So he divides to every man severally as he wills. Now no matter which gifts you have, you are told that they are all important and each gift has its place in the church. The writer now uses the makeup of the body to illustrate how the different gifts work in the body of Christ. -12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. -13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. -14. For the body is not one member, but many. -15. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? -16. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? -17. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? -18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. -19. And if they were all one member, where were the body? -20. But now are they many members, yet but one body. -21. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. -22. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: -23. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. -24. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: -25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. -26. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. -27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. -28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. -29. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? -30. Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? -31. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
What are the best gifts for you? (Prov 18:16) A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. This proverb lets you know that when you develop the potential that is within you and God gives you a gift through His Holy Spirit, then you will become successful. So knowing that every Christian receives gifts from the spirit, then you should be encouraged to work to develop your potential to the fullest extent so that God can use you to accomplish His great work. If you fail to use the talent the God gives you, God will hold you accountable for that failure.
In Matthew we read a lesson that Jesus taught us: (Mat 25:14-46) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. -15. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Notice that he gave to every man according to his several ability; every man had received at least one talent; that is letting you know that you have at least one talent that you can use for your Lord. As we continue on in this lesson of our Lord, we will see that He expects you to use your talent for Him.) -16. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. -17. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. -18. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. -19. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (A day of reckoning is coming for you and I; will you be ready to answer Him?) -20. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. -21. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. -22. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. -23. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. -24. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: -25. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. -26. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: -27. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. -28. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. -29. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. -30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (And so you can see that the Lord was highly displeased with the fact that this servant had hidden his one talent instead of taking it and using it as he should have done. Every time that I study this thought, I am made to wonder how many people there are that are like this unprofitable servant. It seems to me that a lot of people could be of far greater use to our Lord in the work of His Kingdom if they would but prepare themselves and develop the ability that God has put within them. There is a great harvest of souls of men to be done and every servant is needed. The night cometh when no man can work. Let us work while it is day.) -31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: -32. And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: -33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. -34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: -35. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: -36. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. -37. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? -38. When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? -39. Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? -40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. -41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: -42. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: -43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. -44. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? -45. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. -46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Which group are you in? Which words are you going to hear Him say? Will you seek the best gifts for your life and use your life for the glory of God?)
When you desire spiritual gifts, the Bible instructs you to desire those gifts that will edify or build up and strengthen the church. (1 Cor 14:1-12) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. -2. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. -3. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. -4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. -5. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. -6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? -7. And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? -8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? -9. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. -10. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. -11. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. -12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. The Apostle Paul goes on in this chapter addressing the confusion caused by a lot of chatter in languages that no one understands and he makes it clear to us that whatever gifts we use we are to use to the edifying of the church.
A big problem in our world today is that people want to edify themselves and they lose sight of the Bible requirement to edify the body of Christ. A pleasure seeking principal for you does not edify the body. The body is edified by the proper use of God's spiritual gifts to give strength and encouragement.
(Eph 4:1-16) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, -2. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; -3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. -4. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; -5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, -6. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. -7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. -8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. -9. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? -10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) -11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; -12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: -13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: -14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; -15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: -16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
But covet earnestly the best gifts the writer tells us. What does he mean by the best gifts? Aren't all the gifts the best gifts? As we have studied this subject together, you should now understand by the Bible that there are spiritual gifts that are suited to you and that those are the best gifts for you. You are a unique creation and there are certain spiritual gifts that are the best for you and those are the ones that you should desire. What God wants you to do is to seek out those spiritual gifts that would enhance your ability to work for Him and then to desire them.
Maintained by: Brian S. Rexroth, Sr.
Copyright © 2006