Gifted

On January 19th, my friend Dane and I will teach a class called "Gifted for Ministry."  During that time, we will explore the ways in which each man and woman present is uniquely gifted by their Creator to serve God and others. 

We offer the class with a desire to debunk a far-too-commonly-held belief that only a few are qualified and, therefore, suitable for ministry (serving God and others).  A companion belief, equally false, is the thought that some gifts are more valuable to God than others; and, therefore, some people are more of an asset to the Kingdom.  This belief leads to self-doubt on one side and pride on the other.  Jealousy connects self-doubt and pride. 

Think with me about a few of the accounts of brothers in Scripture.

• Cain and Abel
• Jacob and Esau
• Joseph and his brothers
• Jesus and His brothers

In each of those stories, jealousy raises its ugly head. 

• Cain despised Abel.
• Esau relied on the wisdom of his appetite while Jacob deceived.
• Joseph's brothers were bitter toward "daddy's favorite."
• Jesus' brothers thought their actually perfect Brother was out of His mind.

If you are a Christian, Christ is calling you to serve.  We, as brothers and sisters, need to encourage one another and support each others' efforts.  No room for self-doubt.  No room for pride.  No room for jealousy.

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.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)

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