Untitled Sermon (6)

It is very hard to behold our own gifts without pride, and the gifts of others without envy.

Vavasor Powell

Pride of gifts robs us of God’s blessing in the use of them.

William Gurnall

The gifts of the Spirit have nothing to do with personal ambition or career orientation. They are not given to build individual reputations, to warrant superior positions in the local church, or to demonstrate spiritual advancement. They are not trophies, but tools—tools for touching and blessing others.

John Wimber

Paul is then not just listing gifts; he is exhorting each member of the community to use his or her own gift diligently and faithfully to strengthen the body’s unity and help it to flourish.

Douglas J. Moo

Envy! Envy is the reverse side of a coin called vanity. Nobody is ever envious of others who is not first proud of himself.

John Stott

If we focus more on the gifts than on the Giver, we are guilty of idolatry. If we accept His gifts, but complain about them, we are guilty of ingratitude. If we hoard His gifts and will not share them with others, we are guilty of indulgence. But if we yield to His will and use what He gives us for His glory, then we can enjoy life and be satisfied.

Warren W. Wiersbe

179 GIFTS, SPIRITUAL

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.1 C ORINTHIANS 12:4

 1   Some convert the lost. Some encourage the saved. And some keep the movement going. All are needed.

Max Lucado

The smallest gift must be put to good use. In the Christian life we do not stand still. We use our gifts and make progress or we lose what we have.

Leon Morris

If we rejoice in the gifts, but forget the Giver, then we are ungrateful idolaters.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Envy! Envy is the reverse side of a coin called vanity. Nobody is ever envious of others who is not first proud of himself.

John Stott