DIFFERENCE IN GIFTS by R. F. COTTRELL

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1867

DIFFERENCE IN GIFTS.

By R. F. COTTRELL

The body of Christ, the church, like the human body, has many members, and each separate member performing an office or function peculiar to itself, and differing from the rest. Yet all is wrought by the self-same Spirit, distributing to every man as he will. And it is in vain for one member to envy another in its gifts. We are not to choose for ourselves, but exercise the gift that God has given us; and in so doing we shall equally fulfill the will and design of Him who made us one, though differing in our gifts from each other.

“Having, then, gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Rom. xii, 6-8.

One should not decide to do nothing, because he has not the gift of another; neither should one be blamed for not exercising the gift of another. One may have a gift to teach, but be almost powerless in the gift of exhortation. Another may have the gift of exhortation, so that he can move the hearts of men, and yet be almost destitute of the gift to teach. Yet both these gifts are needed. Paul, by teaching, could plant the word of truth; Apollos, with burning eloquence and vivacious appeals to the heart, could water the seed and cause it to grow. And still the planter and the waterer are one. Both labor to the same end—the production and perfection of the crop.

There is a difference also in those that hear. To one, sound argument is the best motive power. Another prefers the stirring appeal to the sympathies. But all should learn “not to think of men above that which is written,” and not to be “puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” It is God that gives gifts to men, and causes one to differ from another in this respect. Men are not to be praised or blamed on account of the gifts they have received from God. The praise or blame is according to how they improve the gift of God. A man cannot assume a gift that God has not given him; but he can “stir up the gift” that is in him, and he will be rewarded according to his earnest efforts in this direction, and not in accordance to the endowments which God has given him irrespective of his own actions. Let each exercise the particular gift that God has given him, and improve upon it to the glory of God.

R. F. COTTRELL.