The word ‘gift’ has two meanings to it. As a literal meaning, it symbolises a thing given as a present from one person to another.
It may be a tangible object which is handed to another person, or a token of some kind to benefit the receiver.
On the spiritual front, the Lord our God can also bestow an array of gifts to selected individuals in the form of special talents or abilities that can be useful, and a blessing to others.
Our focus is on the God-given gifts. Apostle Paul also touched on what is termed as ‘spiritual gifts’.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, he wrote; “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 working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another gifts of working miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between Spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills”.
The Lord our God has spread out these varied gifts to many individuals to cover the entire spheres that touch on the needs of humanity, when they are joined together.
All the gifts are supposed to be to the benefit of mankind. God holds those gifts in his hand, and dishes them out to chosen individuals accordingly.
The Lord is the owner and giver of these gifts. They are all from one source, and altogether to fulfil various purposes, to benefit all people, just like every part of the human body is of benefit to that person.
- Sunday Word: ‘Gifts’ as blessings for mankind
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On the coordination and collective benefit of these gifts, Apostle Paul continued to write: For the body does not consists of one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body”, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body”, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
“If all were a single organ, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”, nor again the head to the feed, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those parts of the body that we think less honourable we invest with greater honour, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require.
“But God has so composed the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together (1 Corinthians 12:14-26).”
Although the Lord our God created and designed each of us with a particular uniqueness, just as the uniqueness of every person’s DNA or fingerprints, the world will not take any notice of you until they see or hear in you something not common or something that may add value to them. Every being has a talent that may stay hidden if not manifested by bringing it to the surface. Life will find its meaning to you when you discover your gift, and fulfil its purpose when you put forth that gift so that it can be a blessing to others.
Everyone has some kind of gift upon him. When you discover your gift, develop it and use it not only for your benefit but for the benefit of others. Henceforth, you will become a commodity that many people would want to benefit from, even it means paying for it. It would be important if each of us could try to find out what gift has been placed in our hands, so that everyone can be a blessing to another. Your gift can create opportunities for you, bringing you upliftment and reward.
Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams, which he put to the disposal of the Pharaoh of Egypt. He was subsequently uplifted in life to the role of prime minister of Egypt, after he had correctly interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream (Genesis 41).
The same gift of dream interpretation was also given to Daniel by the Lord, in addition to his wisdom.
Daniel always stood out in matters of wisdom and understanding concerning which King Nebuchadnezzar inquired from him. Not only that, he was ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that the King enquired of in all his Kingdom (Daniel 1). In Daniel 2, he continued to impress to the King. He managed to use his gift of interpretation to accurately predict of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, ahead of all other magicians. He was subsequently made a Provincial Governor.
Last but not least, is the gift of faith. Blessed are those that believe in the Lord our God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans (3:23-26): “Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by faith as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forth as an expiration by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to prove God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and he justifies him who has faith in Christ.” Amen.
- *Prosper Tingini is the Scribe of the Children of God Missionary Assembly - God’s messengers. Contact details: Mobile & whatsapp – 0771 260 195. Email address: [email protected]
