Now about the spiritual gifts [the special endowments given by the Holy Spirit], brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. (1 Cor.12:1)
Gifts are unique endowments or bequests willingly distributed to a recipient for which no value or payment is exchanged. Gifts are symbolic: a token of goodwill, interest, goodness, friendliness and care affirmation on the part of the benefactor to assert his/her interest in the beneficiary to the intent that the beneficiary make gain or derive an advantage, profit or gain from the use or exercise of the gift now bestowed.
It is important to note that the gift bestows advantage, it creates an edge which had not previously existed but its (now) existence gives the recipient a prop/thrust by which an advantage is gained over contemporaries lacking such endowments. Gift also relieves stress or strain imminent in buying an article. It provides significant savings on the part of the beneficiaries as he/she draws value for which no value (cost) was exchanged.
These, among many are profound features of gifts for which we (all) must first appreciate the kind gesture and benevolence of the donor and also be urgent and prepared to extract the full advantage latent in the gift so freely bestow. Every gift carries a cost for which the donor committed to the free enjoyment and advantage of the recipient. Please value and appreciate every gift; though freely received yet costly delivered.
Now, the Bible introduced new or elevated types of gifts; “spiritual gifts” it says. About these gifts, the writer warned against our being ignorant or uninformed. The most distinctive feature of “spiritual” items is their “intangibility”. Being intangible or immaterial in nature, natural people (people without notice or interest in spiritual matters) ignore spiritual things to their wanton disadvantage losing the enormous grace and carriage loaded and latent in spiritual resources. It is important to note and recognize that these “spiritual” items are domicile and administrated by the Holy Spirit – The Spirit of God.
About people’s interest, the Bible says, “ For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose] (Romans 8:5 AMP). This reference clearly mark why many may be unaware or uninterested in spiritual gifts (Gifts of the Holy Spirit) but God rather would advise that we are aware of their existence and have appetite for them as they are for our “profiting” (1 Cor. 12:7 KJV)
Beloved, there are great and exceeding blessings, riches, honor, power, etc. latent in spiritual gifts. Remember these are gifts, no money or pledge is required rather, the Bible says “Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. (1 Cor. 12:5 AMP)
Notice, “but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers].” ¬ – let’s become informed about, covet them, receive them and derive blessings and profit from it.
