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Gifts, Rewards, and Being "Like God."


There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (I Corinthians 12:4-7)

            "A gift? For me? Ah, You shouldn't have." You're right, God shouldn't have given me a gift for me, and He didn't. He gave me a gift for us, perhaps more than one. It's so human to want gifts from God for our own good, or even for our own pleasure or glory. I often want to be stronger or wiser, in order to put a "so-and-so" in his place. I want the gift of prophecy or teaching so I can say, "I told you so!" Of course, I don't particularly want the response most of the prophets got. Even the gifts of giving, hospitality or service would be nice, if I could become known for them.
           Instead, we're called to be "like God" who created the universe and placed us within it, and seems to hide behind it, refusing to manifest Himself in the manner the atheists demand (which means He refuses to stop being God), allowing things to happen that He doesn't like and continuing to give us gifts (including those things we don't like.) We are called to use our gifts not only for one another, but for the "not one anothers." Sometimes we will be noticed and rewarded. Other times, we will be noticed and punished (which is a sort of reward, too.)  

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