A Collector
Have you ever known a collector, someone who owns things they never use or do not know how to use?
There are many useful tools for doing a job more effectively, but they are only useful if the person using them knows how they work.
A tool specific to a job is a gift to someone who knows how it works and what they are doing.
I own a car code reader. It is not as elaborate as the ones used in a mechanic’s shop, but it can tell me what code is showing up on my car. After I fix the problem, it can erase the code so I can start fresh. I recently used it on our Mustang convertible when the check engine light came on. By looking up the code, I discovered the car had an evap leak. Upon further investigation, I learned it was related to where I put in the fuel. I was able to do a couple of simple things and fix the problem.
I have tools, but I know how to use them. Therefore, they benefit me and often benefit others.
If I did not know how to use the tools I own or what tools I own, they could do nothing to benefit me or anyone else. I would merely be a collector.
Unfortunately, many in the body of Christ behave like collectors when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit—special supernatural tools given to individual members to benefit others. Many claim to have a gift, but they seldom or never truly use it for the good of others.
1Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
If one remains ignorant concerning gifts, they are unlikely to be able to use them as a tool of the Holy Spirit for the purpose that the gift was given in the first place. For instance, a hammer is designed to pound in nails. It is a striking device. One the other hand, a crescent wrench is an adjustable tool used to loosen nuts and bolts. It is not designed to be used as a hammer. Many a crescent wrench has been ruined and many a nail bent over needlessly when the wrench was used as a hammer.
1Corinthians 12:4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
It’s one thing to know what these gifts are; it is another to know how to use them, when to use them, and how to develop a skill in using them. A collector will likely brag about owning something without ever using it. But a practical person desires it for its usefulness. Talking about the gifts and declaring one believes in them but never operates in them is like being a collector. Collectors keep things to themselves. It is time to be practical and allow these gifts to be used for the benefit of all.
