7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7

Throughout the next few days we will be coming back to this verse because it provides a foundation for what follows. What does this verse mean exactly? It means that we are to use our spiritual gifts in ways that will build up and encourage the Body of Christ. There are many instances where these gifts have been used selfishly. The televangelist of the 1980s are a well-known example of this. Many of them were very gifted speakers. However, as they became more well-known, they ceased being about the Body of Christ, and focused on themselves. Greed, lust, and pride became the fruits of their spirit. They fell hard, and most have never quite recovered. They used their gifts selfishly.

So the question to ask is, am I using this gift to edify the body or to build me up? You can certainly justify building yourself up as being part of the body, but I don’t think that’s what the Lord intended. It’s all about building others up, both is these gifts and in our day to day life.