All God’s Gifts Are Good

A favorite memory in my family has to do with my brother Scott.  My brother Scott is a missionary in Paraguay South America.  One of our missionaries.  This illustration is an opportunity to let you know that Scott is making a transition and recently accepted a senior pastor position at a church in southwest Minnesota.  So they are moving back this summer and we will be happy to have the family on the same continent.  Funny thing is the name of the church; Bethel.  What are the chances of that?

So when Scott was a boy he was famously mischievous and naughty.  This little naughty boy desperately wanted a bow and arrow for Christmas.  He talked about it.  He hoped for it.  So when Christmas came he saw a long slender gift under the tree for him.  He was so excited.  When it came time for him to open the gift, he grabbed it and began ripping the paper off, and screaming, I knew it, I knew it, a bow and arrow!  In the next moment he realized what it was and said in the saddest voice you’ve ever heard, Oh… a fishing pole.

What was going on there?  Mom and Dad knew what would be best for him and for the safety of the entire family.  It was a good gift but not a bow and arrow.

The safeguard against disappointment in our spiritual gift or jealousy of someone else’s is to realize the Holy Spirit is the one who distributes his gifts.  He gave yours to you.  He knows what’s best for the safety of the entire family.  We must not question his wisdom or his goodness in who he gives what gift and how much of that gift is given.  We should be grateful that he gives them at all.  Understanding this will promote humility and respect in the church as all the gifts are valued and no one glories personally in the gift they have received.

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© 2010 Steve DeWitt. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author, (2) any modifications are clearly marked, (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, (4) you include Bethel’s web site address (http://www.bethelweb.org/) on the copied resource.

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