Pursuing the Most Helpful Gifts
Pursuing the Most Helpful Gifts: Walking in Your God-Given Purpose
In a world where comparison runs rampant and we're constantly measuring ourselves against others, it's easy to lose sight of our own unique calling. The apostle Paul's words to the Corinthian church offer timeless wisdom about spiritual gifts and how we should approach them.
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
"'Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed... Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. And there are varieties of activities, but the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.'" - 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7 (ESV)
Throughout Scripture, God has equipped His people with various unique gifts. These gifts weren't given randomly or by chance, but by the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. Every believer has been entrusted with gifts from God - not one person has been left out or forgotten.
There's always a temptation when we see someone else who is greatly gifted to begin comparing our gifts to their gifts. When comparison takes root, we can stop pursuing what God has called us to do and start trying to walk in a calling that was never meant for us.
Remember the sons of Sceva in Acts 19? They saw Paul walking in tremendous anointing and wanted to do what he was doing. They attempted to cast out demons saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out." The spirit responded, "I know Jesus and I know Paul, but who are you?" They were trying to walk in someone else's anointing and faced great failure.
Why Do We Compare Our Gifts to Others?
It's far too easy to become attracted to someone else's gifting at the expense of our own. We see someone gifted in music and wish we had their abilities. We observe a powerful leader and want to lead the same way. We notice a great communicator and desire their clarity and influence.
Comparison has a way of blinding us to what God has already placed within us. Instead of developing the gift He has entrusted to us, we become obsessed with gifts He entrusted to someone else. The quickest way to lose your joy is by comparing your gifts to someone else.
You cannot fight your battles effectively wearing armor that was never designed for you. God never called you to imitate another person's assignment. He called you to steward the grace, gifting, and calling that He has placed on your life. When David went to fight Goliath, King Saul offered him his armor - armor that had seen great victories in the past. But David couldn't wear it because it wasn't his armor. If he had tried to imitate past victories, he would have never seen victory in the present.
What Gifts Has God Given to Believers?
Scripture reveals numerous spiritual gifts, including:
All these gifts are given for the common good of the church. When these gifts operate from a place of love, the impact will be extraordinary.
How Do We Identify the Most Helpful Gifts?
"'But earnestly desire the higher gifts... So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.'" - 1 Corinthians 12:31 (ESV) The higher gifts and the most helpful gifts are precisely the gifts that are needed most in a particular moment. When you walk in love and are sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will show you things He wants you to help with. He'll highlight areas where you need to step in.
Too often we see a problem that the Holy Spirit is showing us, and instead of being part of the solution, we just complain about the problem. The Holy Spirit shows us these things so we can be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
There's often the temptation to pursue gifts that are the most visible instead of the gifts that are the most valuable in that moment. The most helpful gift may be the gift that the crowd never sees, the gift you never get applause for. Yet in the hands of the Holy Spirit, that unseen gift can carry eternal weight and produce kingdom impact.
What Motivates Our Gift Usage?
Do you only want a gift to be noticed, or are you willing to pursue gifts that may go unnoticed because you're more interested in bringing glory to Jesus' name than your own name?
Sometimes we want to operate in the gifts we want to operate in, even though it might not be the helpful gift in that moment. For example, if someone has a flat tire and needs practical help, the most helpful gift isn't teaching about Greek words in Scripture - it's the gift of helps, rolling up your sleeves to assist them.
"'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.'" - 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV) When love is our motivation, we stop chasing positions, titles, and recognition. We simply make ourselves available to God. Often it's in those ordinary moments of obedience that the Holy Spirit does His most extraordinary work.
How Does the Holy Spirit Work Through Our Gifts?
The Holy Spirit doesn't distribute gifts randomly - He releases them strategically, powerfully, and purposefully so that the church can become everything Christ has called her to be. He will release:
Being a willing vessel means allowing the Spirit to fill us with whatever measure of grace is needed so we can pour out our lives as servants for the kingdom of God.
Life Application
This week, ask yourself: What is the most helpful gift the Holy Spirit wants me to operate in right now? What is He illuminating in your life that He wants you to work on?
Maybe there's a grandchild who needs to be taught God's word, and you think you're not a teacher - but the Holy Spirit can empower you. Perhaps someone is broken and needs compassion, even if you don't feel naturally compassionate. Whatever it is, the Holy Spirit will show you.
Are you willing to step out in faith and say, "Here I am, God. Use me"? Are you pursuing the most helpful gifts out of love, or are you chasing recognition and positions?
Questions for Reflection:
Remember, you were not saved merely to sit in a seat and be a consumer. You were saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and empowered to participate in God's mission here on earth today. Every believer has been given a role to play in the Kingdom of God - the question is whether you're fulfilling what God has specifically called you to do.
In a world where comparison runs rampant and we're constantly measuring ourselves against others, it's easy to lose sight of our own unique calling. The apostle Paul's words to the Corinthian church offer timeless wisdom about spiritual gifts and how we should approach them.
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
"'Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed... Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of service, but the same Lord. And there are varieties of activities, but the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.'" - 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7 (ESV)
Throughout Scripture, God has equipped His people with various unique gifts. These gifts weren't given randomly or by chance, but by the sovereign will of the Holy Spirit. Every believer has been entrusted with gifts from God - not one person has been left out or forgotten.
There's always a temptation when we see someone else who is greatly gifted to begin comparing our gifts to their gifts. When comparison takes root, we can stop pursuing what God has called us to do and start trying to walk in a calling that was never meant for us.
Remember the sons of Sceva in Acts 19? They saw Paul walking in tremendous anointing and wanted to do what he was doing. They attempted to cast out demons saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out." The spirit responded, "I know Jesus and I know Paul, but who are you?" They were trying to walk in someone else's anointing and faced great failure.
Why Do We Compare Our Gifts to Others?
It's far too easy to become attracted to someone else's gifting at the expense of our own. We see someone gifted in music and wish we had their abilities. We observe a powerful leader and want to lead the same way. We notice a great communicator and desire their clarity and influence.
Comparison has a way of blinding us to what God has already placed within us. Instead of developing the gift He has entrusted to us, we become obsessed with gifts He entrusted to someone else. The quickest way to lose your joy is by comparing your gifts to someone else.
You cannot fight your battles effectively wearing armor that was never designed for you. God never called you to imitate another person's assignment. He called you to steward the grace, gifting, and calling that He has placed on your life. When David went to fight Goliath, King Saul offered him his armor - armor that had seen great victories in the past. But David couldn't wear it because it wasn't his armor. If he had tried to imitate past victories, he would have never seen victory in the present.
What Gifts Has God Given to Believers?
Scripture reveals numerous spiritual gifts, including:
- Administration
- Apostleship (missionary work establishing churches)
- Discernment of spirits
- Encouragement/Exhortation
- Evangelism
- Faith
- Gifts of healing
- Giving/Generosity
- Interpretation of tongues
- Leadership
- Mercy
- Pastoring/Shepherding
- Prophecy (calling people back to God)
- Serving/Helps
- Teaching
- Various kinds of tongues
- Words of knowledge
- Words of wisdom
- Working of miracles
All these gifts are given for the common good of the church. When these gifts operate from a place of love, the impact will be extraordinary.
How Do We Identify the Most Helpful Gifts?
"'But earnestly desire the higher gifts... So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.'" - 1 Corinthians 12:31 (ESV) The higher gifts and the most helpful gifts are precisely the gifts that are needed most in a particular moment. When you walk in love and are sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will show you things He wants you to help with. He'll highlight areas where you need to step in.
Too often we see a problem that the Holy Spirit is showing us, and instead of being part of the solution, we just complain about the problem. The Holy Spirit shows us these things so we can be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
There's often the temptation to pursue gifts that are the most visible instead of the gifts that are the most valuable in that moment. The most helpful gift may be the gift that the crowd never sees, the gift you never get applause for. Yet in the hands of the Holy Spirit, that unseen gift can carry eternal weight and produce kingdom impact.
What Motivates Our Gift Usage?
Do you only want a gift to be noticed, or are you willing to pursue gifts that may go unnoticed because you're more interested in bringing glory to Jesus' name than your own name?
Sometimes we want to operate in the gifts we want to operate in, even though it might not be the helpful gift in that moment. For example, if someone has a flat tire and needs practical help, the most helpful gift isn't teaching about Greek words in Scripture - it's the gift of helps, rolling up your sleeves to assist them.
"'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.'" - 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV) When love is our motivation, we stop chasing positions, titles, and recognition. We simply make ourselves available to God. Often it's in those ordinary moments of obedience that the Holy Spirit does His most extraordinary work.
How Does the Holy Spirit Work Through Our Gifts?
The Holy Spirit doesn't distribute gifts randomly - He releases them strategically, powerfully, and purposefully so that the church can become everything Christ has called her to be. He will release:
- Boldness when fear is present
- Wisdom when confusion surrounds a situation
- Faith when problems look impossible
- Healing when there is brokenness
- Prophecy when direction is needed
- Compassion when hearts are wounded
Being a willing vessel means allowing the Spirit to fill us with whatever measure of grace is needed so we can pour out our lives as servants for the kingdom of God.
Life Application
This week, ask yourself: What is the most helpful gift the Holy Spirit wants me to operate in right now? What is He illuminating in your life that He wants you to work on?
Maybe there's a grandchild who needs to be taught God's word, and you think you're not a teacher - but the Holy Spirit can empower you. Perhaps someone is broken and needs compassion, even if you don't feel naturally compassionate. Whatever it is, the Holy Spirit will show you.
Are you willing to step out in faith and say, "Here I am, God. Use me"? Are you pursuing the most helpful gifts out of love, or are you chasing recognition and positions?
Questions for Reflection:
- What gifts has God placed in your life that you might be neglecting because you're focused on someone else's gifts?
- Where is the Holy Spirit highlighting areas in your community or church where you could step in and help rather than just complain about problems?
- How can you shift from pursuing visible gifts to pursuing the most helpful gifts, even if they go unnoticed?
Remember, you were not saved merely to sit in a seat and be a consumer. You were saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and empowered to participate in God's mission here on earth today. Every believer has been given a role to play in the Kingdom of God - the question is whether you're fulfilling what God has specifically called you to do.
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