“…For The Common Good!”

Text: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
Theme: “…For The Common Good!”(I Cor.11:4-11).
The phrase “the big(ger) picture” is a phrase that is gradually gaining ground in the body of Christ. This phrase is often confused with “the common good,” which means “for the benefit or interests of all.”
The big picture considers “the most important facts about a situation and the effects of that situation on other things…” The big picture most often does not benefit or serve the interests of all, but the common good does.
Paul explains to us through his explanation to the Corinthians that to each believer, “the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” None of us is without a spiritual gift, but the gift does not become personal possession to be used neither for personal interest nor to be prideful and boastful about it.
Some people may be given multiple spiritual gifts, but they are all intended for “the common good.” We should not be envious of the spiritual gifts that others have, and we should not be prideful and boastful of the spiritual gifts that we have. Remember that it is called “gift!” And these gifts “are the work of one and the same Sipirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.”
I know the spiritual gifts that I have received through the manifestation of the Spirit. I do my best to use it for “the common good.” What spiritual gift(s) have you received through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit? Are you using it for the common good? If the answer is “Yes,” well and good; but if it is “No,” why not?
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit endow us with discerning spirits so that we can identify our spiritual gifts and use them for the common good. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
13/06/2025.