4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

The key to understanding the rest of this chapter is to realize and accept that God gives people different gifts. No gifts are better than one another.

You might not get that impression depending on where you worship. For instance, if you go to non-charismatic Baptists, you might think that teaching, preaching, and wisdom gifts are the gifts to seek above all else. In charismatic circles, the same can be true of the gift of tongues, prophecy, healing, and miraculous powers.

But God in His wisdom knew about these cracks in the unity wall.

As we go through these spiritual gifts one by one, perhaps you can identify one or two gifts that you emphasize over the others (and sometimes to the exclusion of the others). Before that, however, realize that God has given His people wonderful gifts to build up the Body of Christ. The world cannot say that about anything they do. But we have a loving Heavenly Father who has given us the Spirit of God who lives within and helps to exercise those gifts for a hurting world.