Day 26: 12:1-11 (One Purpose, Many Gifts: Used to Build the Church and Glorify God)

1. SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

2. OBSERVATIONS :
a.  What did this passage mean to its original audience? 
The church in Corinth had a major pride problem. They were treating spiritual gifts like a status symbol. People who had flashy, upfront gifts (like speaking in tongues or prophesying) were looking down on people with behind-the-scenes gifts (like serving or administration). They were using their gifts to show off and build themselves up. Paul wrote this chapter to correct them. He wanted them to understand that a gift does not make you "better" than anyone else, because it all comes from the exact same Holy Spirit. He was calling them to stop competing and start collaborating.

b. What does this passage reveal about God?

• God is the source of every spiritual gift. Gifts come from the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God (vv.4–6).
• God gives gifts for the good of the whole church. Spiritual gifts are given “for the common good.”

c. What does this passage reveal about people?

• We are given gifts for others, not ourselves (v. 7).

 3. APPLICATION: What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?
My gifts are not something I own; they are given by God. This reminds me that I am not the owner of these gifts, so I cannot use them however I want or only for my own benefit. They are not for my success, recognition, or personal fulfillment. God gave them for the good of others and for the building up of the church. This challenges me to ask myself, “Am I using what God has given me to serve others?” So I want to be more intentional about using my gifts to encourage, help, and strengthen the people around me. Whether through small acts of service, words of encouragement, or sharing God’s truth, I want my life to reflect God’s purpose for these gifts.

4. PRAYER:
Father God,
 Thank You for the gifts You have given me. Help me remember that they come from You and are meant to serve others. Teach me to use them with humility and love, so that the church may be built up and Your name glorified.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.