SEEKING BETTER THINGS

"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. . . . But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6)

Devotion 20 of 26

THE BEST GIFTS

When the Lord Jesus "ascended on high," He "gave gifts unto men" (Eph 4:8). These gifts were calculated to contribute to, and blend with, His appointed purpose of "bringing many sons to glory" (Heb 2:10). These would assist in bringing the saints to perfection, or maturity.
They would not only enable them to overcome the world, which has been cursed, but they would also orient them for glory, enabling them to make the transition from this world to "the world to come" without trauma.

These "gifts" are mentioned several different places in Scripture. In each case, the purpose is to illuminate the people of God concerning the advantages that have been given to them in Christ. The gifts mentioned in this devotion are not an exhaustive list.

EPHESIANS

In the book of Ephesians, "gifts" are approached from a very broad perspective. Four are mentioned: (Apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers" (Eph 4:11). The latter gift combines two functions: "pastors (shepherds) and "teacher" (one who expounds the things of God). True pastoring, or shepherding, is done by teaching, or instructing people more perfectly in the ways of the Lord. The purpose of these "gifts" is provided in remarkable detail. "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (4:12-16).

ROMANS

The book of Romans provides a more extensive listing of gifts placed within the church. "Prophecy," "ministry" (service), "teaching," "exhorting," "giving," "ruling" (leading), and "showing mercy." Here we are told that every person in the body of Christ receives a "measure of faith" (12:3). That "measure" is revealed in these various gifts. Here we are simply told not to think of ourselves more highly than is appropriate, but in strict accordance with the measure of faith we have been given. Believers are to aggressively and faithfully enter into the work they have been given to do (12:3-5).

FIRST PETER

The book of First Peter also refers to "gifts." Here the point is made that every believer has received a gift, and is to minister in strict accord with that assignment. This is a matter of being a "good steward of the manifold (various forms of) grace of God" (4:10). An exhaustive list is not given. Only two primary gifts are cited, both of which tend to be broad in nature: speaking and serving. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (4:11). Here the purpose is the glorification of God through Jesus Christ.

FIRST CORINTHIANS

The book of First Corinthians contains extensive teaching about spiritual gifts (chapters 12-14). This teaching was driven by the confusion and carnality that existed in Corinth, particularly around the matter of spiritual gifts. Although they came "behind in no gift" (1:7), they were abysmally ignorant concerning the handling of them. They had allowed their flesh to govern their assemblies rather than God's gracious provisions. Because of their extensive giftedness, numerous gifts are mentioned in the passage cited. "The word of wisdom," "the word of knowledge," "faith," "gifts of healing," "working of miracles," "prophecy," "discerning of spirits," "divers kinds of tongues," "interpretation of tongues" (12:8-10). Other gifts mentioned include "Apostles," "prophets," "teachers," "helps" (helpers)," "governments" (leaders or administrators)--12:28.

Because of the carnality of the Corinthians, the teaching concerning spiritual gifts tended to be more corrective than informational. With great power, the Source and nature of these gifts is declared.

1. There are diversities of gifts, but they are given by the same Spirit (12:4).
2. There are different ministries, or kinds of service, but the same Lord governs them all (12:5).
3. There are a variety of activities, or ways in which the gifts are fulfilled, but "it is the same God who works all in all" (12:6).
4. The manifestation, or working of the Holy Spirit through the gifts, is consistently given for the common good, or edification, of all the saints. The gifts are not for personal gratification (12:7).
5. The gifts are given to every person by the Holy Spirit, who distributes "to each one individually as He wills" (12:11).
6. All of the gifts are harmonious with one another. None of them contribute to schism, or division, in the body of Christ (12:12-27).
7. God has placed each member in the body as it has "pleased Him" (12:18).

Men have taken upon themselves to develop systematized views of spiritual gifts. To do this, they were required to go beyond what
is written. Positions range from the extreme of binding all gifts upon every church, to affirming all gifts have passed away. Neither position is affirmed by the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Spirit takes care to inform us that this is an area of activity strictly governed by God, through Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit. He has provided no opportunity for men to comment on the validity or extent of these gifts. It is simply not within the prerogatives of men to draw up a criteria for the gifts, or to concoct time lines within which they were given and operated.

THE BEST GIFTS

Is there such a thing as "best gifts?" Indeed there is. In fact, believers are admonished to seek to appropriate them. After citing numerous spiritual gifts, the Spirit reminds believers of the inappropriateness of emulation. "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?" (12:29-30). God is not in the business of spiritual cloning, and men are not to approach this subject as though He was! The nature and extent of spiritual gifts are strictly governed by God. It is on the part of wisdom to accept that.

Here is the exhortation of the Spirit. "BUT COVET EARNESTLY THE BEST GIFTS" (12:31a). Other versions read, "earnestly desire the best gifts" (NKJV), "eagerly desire the greater gifts" (NIV), "earnestly desire the higher gifts" (RSV). Both Darby's and Young's Literal Translation call them "better gifts." The New Living Translation says "You should desire the most helpful gifts." There are "gifts" that are "best," "better," "greater," "higher," and "more helpful." What are they?

Notice, the Spirit does not provide us a list of these "better gifts." That would only have contributed to the further carnality of the Corinthians. He has already told us the purpose for the gifts--not only in First Corinthians, but in Ephesians, Romans, and First Peter. In summary, they are to edify and build of the saints, to equip them for ministry, and to orient them for glory. The "better gifts" are the ones that contribute more fully to those objectives.

But who among us would care to affirm that God has distributed any gift to the church that is NOT conducive to those objectives? What gift has Jesus given to men that does not contribute to the edifying of the body? What member has been placed in the body with no regard for the other members of the body? The exhortation to "covet earnestly the best gifts" is not an admonition to classify the gifts in order to make a choice of certain ones. Rather, it is earnestly seek to do what God is doing.

If there be any doubt that this is the Spirit's intention, the words that follow should dissolve such doubt. "And yet show I unto you a more excellent way" (1 Cor 12:31b). Note: not a more excellent gift, but a more excellent "WAY"--or road by which we can progress to God's appointed objective. That way is delineated in the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians. It is "charity," or "love" that springs from the apprehension of the love of God. That love will ONLY seek to advantage the saints. He will NEVER take from them or harm them. It will NEVER seek its own interests, and will NEVER fail, lose its preeminence, or pass away (13:4-8).

So what are the "best gifts?" They are the ones given by the Spirit and governed by love. They are the ones that are ministered out of a profound love for the God who gave them, and with an unwavering interest in the building up of His people. Without the superintendence of this love, the most impressive gifts become utterly worthless, i.e., like a "resounding gong or a clanging cymbal" (13:1, NIV). Even if a person prophesied, unveiled all manner of mysteries, possessed all kinds of knowledge, and could move mountains from one place to another, if it was not under the direction of love, the person would be "nothing" (12:2). It a person liquidated all of his assets and contributed everything to the poor, or even if he gave his body to be burned in a heroic act of sacrifice, if he did not have love, he would profit nothing from it.

The gifts ministered in love are the greatest ones, the best ones, the most productive ones. You cannot choose your gift--God chooses that. You cannot run up to heaven and get them, the Spirit distributes them. You cannot decide what you want to be in the body of Christ, God has placed you where He wants you. But there are at least two things you can do. First, you can assign a higher value to the ministry that leaves the saints stronger, less attached to this world, and greater in faith. Second, you can determine to take the better way--the way in which the love of God becomes the Supervisor of your ministry.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to be the best minister of your grace that is possible. I ask this that Your name might be glorified, and Your people edified.

-- Tomorrow: WHEN LITTLE IS BETTER --