A Variety of Gifts
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: Romans 12:6
I love it when a plan comes together! I was recently privileged to be a part of a Board of Directors that had a fundraising banquet that “came together” in a very successful way! At this point I have no idea how much money we raised…but I know that from my perspective it was successful. Money was raised and God was glorified. What else could we want?
My husband and I sit on the Board of Directors of Christ Centered Counseling Ministries, a fairly new Biblical counseling service in our area. The fundraising banquet was to raise money to help people who want Biblical counseling but may not be able to afford it and to promote and grow the ministry.
It is one thing to sit around a table and talk theology and business plans. It is another to go to work to orchestrate a big event together. The most impressive thing from a “behind the scenes” look at things was how wonderfully the Board worked together – each person using the gifts God had given them to put it all together in such a way that many aspects of God’s character were displayed. Things like:
His orderliness in the way things were accomplished.
His fellowship as people worked together to get ready and then around the tables at dinner.
His grace in the way people responded to each one’s ability to complete what they had been assigned.
His beauty in the appearance of the room.
His generosity from those who supported the event – both financially and with their time.
His mercy on the things that were not as we had hoped – like we probably chose a venue that, though it was convenient, it was a little too small.
His attention to details.
Each member of the Board had a different responsibility and we had some outside help in the labor of setting up and cleaning up. God was at work as each job was done by those assigned. Every person was free to do just the work asked of them because everyone did what was expected and promised. There were no glitches or misunderstandings because each one kept their word. There was unity in our goal though we had independence in our tasks. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”
So often we hear of spats and misunderstandings because one Christian wants the work assigned to another. Or, someone promises to do a portion of the work and doesn’t show up – or falls short of expectations. On Saturday night the decorators transformed the room we were meeting in to an tasteful but fun place to be. The cook and his volunteers in the kitchen prepared an excellent meal. The wait staff waited tables and attended to the needs of the attendees with grace and subtlety. The speaker spoke and the Master of Ceremonies kept things moving and got everyone out on time. And those in attendance ate and gave – exactly what they were invited to do!
1 Corinthians 7:7b says, “But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.” It is just as big a gift when each person uses the gift God has given them to glorify Him and grow His kingdom.