Gifted
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
The Corinthian faith community was not unlike our churches today. They had originally come together for a unified purpose - worshiping God and serving others - but division over petty disagreements was threatening to tear them apart. At the time of Paul's first letter to this community, they were struggling with one another over the value of their respective gifts. Some believed that their gift(s) made them worthy of greater respect, or privilege, than others. Paul wrote to remind them that God is the giver of every gift, and every gift is valuable for the purpose of building up the entire community.
Particularly in American culture, we place high value on our individuality. We're often looking for what makes us stand out, for what sets us apart from everyone else. While there's nothing wrong with figuring out where we excel and discovering the ways God has gifted us, it's equally important to determine how we can use these attributes to help, bless, and serve others. None of us is gifted so that we, individually, can shine. All of us are gifted so that, through us, God can shine.
When Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah, he proclaimed that passage as his mission. The Spirit of God had anointed Jesus to give hope to the poor, free those in bondage, open blinded eyes, lift up the oppressed, and tell of God's goodness. As Jesus' followers, God's Spirit gifts us to fulfill that same mission. While we are each unique, we are all called to the same purpose - glorifying God with all that we have and all that we are. God is glorified when we spend ourselves for the good of all.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21)
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