Use Your Gifts Beyond the Church
ICS Daily Devotions

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

God, in His wisdom, has distributed all the gifts among the entire body of Christ so that nobody has all the gifts, because God wants us to be dependent on one another and on Him. The Holy Spirit has compassion and needs you to be His channel of blessing wherever he has placed you.

Did you know that these gifts operate by the willingness of the Holy Spirit and are not confined to church premises? They can operate in the workplace, if you are sensitive to Him, especially in the gifts of word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, and the gift of faith. The best gift is the one you need at the moment; the Holy Spirit is omnipresent and omniscient. This is possible because God is gracious.

For example, when God has called us to be entrepreneurs and given us a vision for the business, often, He also supplies the gift of faith needed for that calling. However, first, we should know that we are called when we have consecrated our plans to God and have heard from Him, not simply because we wish to be called or have run out of options in life. When we are called to be entrepreneurs, we will have a clear vision of what we want to do and how to achieve it with a proper strategy. We might possess the gift of faith to make decisions for the business despite difficulties because we have heard from God. The gift of faith is not the measure of faith, as we can strengthen our faith by listening to God’s Word.

Instead, this faith is supernatural and unaffected by natural circumstances or limitations; it is from God to accomplish a purpose. The ultimate result will always be a breakthrough leading to something profitable!

The word of wisdom enables us to know what to do in a certain situation. We know how to move forward with a strategy. It is a supernatural impartation that’s dropped into our hearts. Meanwhile, the discernment of spirits can also work in the business environment, as the Spirit of God reveals others’ bad intentions.

We all have at least one spiritual gift. The key is to tap into the gift and to know the Holy Spirit’s voice.

Reflection: How can you identify and cultivate the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you, especially those that may not be your natural strengths, so you can be an effective channel of God’s blessing?

Sermon: Stewardship is established in love