Please Pass the Gravy

1 Corinthians 12:28 - And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

Romans 12:6-8 - We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 - 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.

God, through His Spirit has given gifts to His children. It is clear from the Romans 12 passage that we are to use these gifts for edification of one another. When we do this, God is glorified. But I want us to understand a subtle nuance of this idea of receiving spiritual gifts. We often speak of “using” our spiritual gifts (as I just did). I’d like us to adjust our thinking to “giving” our spiritual gifts. Because the gift that has been imparted to us is not ours to possess and use; it is God’s gift for us to steward and give to His intended recipient.

It is God’s desire that we would all receive the blessings that come from prophecy, faith, healing, teaching, etc. So, the person in whom God plants the gift must understand that God has not given this gift to the person who possesses it; rather the person who possesses the gift is merely a conduit by which the Lord is able to give this gift to the world. I liken it unto gravy: Imagine you are sitting at the Thanksgiving dinner table and your aunt who is on your right, asks your uncle, who is on your left, to please pass the gravy. What does your uncle do? He passes the gravy to you and you pass it to your aunt. Your aunt may say “thank you” to you, but the gravy came from your uncle. He had it and used you to give it to your aunt.

Now this is a metaphor that can break down at different levels but you get what I’m trying to say, right? The gift that you hold has not been given to you for you to just hold onto; it has been given to you to pass on to others. God wants you to “do something” with that gift! It is His desire to give great gifts to man through you. Make sense?

Matthew 25:14-30 (excerpts) - Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ [His master replied as before] Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant…!’

As Christians, it is not an option to hold back the gifts that God wants to give to the world through us! We are to give these gifts in order to help our brothers and sister in the faith to deepen in their relationship with the Lord and we are instrumental in multiplying the kingdom. Matthew Henry puts it this way: It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him that died for him, and rose again.

So, that gift you have, GIVE IT! I need what the Lord wants to give to me through you. Your family, your co-workers, your classmates, and all those within your sphere of influence need you to impart God’s gifts to them. Please don’t keep it to yourself; boldly and generously give God’s gifts to the world around you.