The Holy Spirit Distributes Gifts by Grace

The Spirit’s Sovereign Distribution

Brethren, hear it well: the Holy Spirit is not a passive force or random influence – He is a sovereign distributor of divine gifts. “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Not as we choose, but as He wills. Do you see the authority in that? The Spirit is not taking requests like a waiter – He’s commanding distribution like a King!

There are “diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit… the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:4–7). The gifts differ, but the purpose unites – to profit, to edify, to bless the body. God Himself “bore them witness… with gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will” (Hebrews 2:4). When God confirms His Word, He does it by His Spirit’s evidence.

Even in the days of Moses, the Spirit filled men like Bezaleel “with wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge” for craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3–5). Imagine that – God’s Spirit guiding the hand that builds! Whether skill or sermon, the Giver is the same.

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Gifts Flow from Grace

Friends, remember this: gifts do not come from merit; they flow from mercy. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” (Romans 12:6). Grace gives, and the Spirit delivers. No striving earns it; no boasting keeps it.

Each of us has “grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7). What a measure! Who could weigh such love? We are “stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), called not to hoard, but to serve. The more we pour out, the more grace abounds.

“For God is able to make all grace abound toward you,” Paul wrote, “that ye… may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). Grace upon grace, wave after wave, as John testified: “Of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16). The Spirit never runs dry.

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No One Is Left Giftless in Christ

O my soul, what comfort is here! There are no spiritual orphans in the household of God. “Ye come behind in no gift” (1 Corinthians 1:7). Every believer has been placed in the body “as it hath pleased Him” (1 Corinthians 12:18). Not one member is useless; not one is overlooked.

The body “maketh increase… by that which every joint supplieth” (Ephesians 4:16). The gifts are many, but the purpose is one – growth, unity, and glory to God. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29). He does not change His mind about what He has given.

And what Moses longed for, we now live in: “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29). Brethren, that day has come through Christ!

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Impartation and Stirring of Gifts

Gifts may be given, but they must also be stirred. Paul longed “to impart… a spiritual gift” (Romans 1:11), and he urged Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee” (2 Timothy 1:6). Why? Because the Spirit of God gives not fear, but power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Some gifts awaken through the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14). Others through encounter with God’s power, as in Acts 19:6, when Paul laid hands on believers and “the Holy Ghost came on them.” Joshua, too, was filled with wisdom when Moses laid hands on him (Deuteronomy 34:9). Friend, gifts don’t grow in neglect – they grow when exercised, shared, and stirred.

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The Spirit’s Gifts Confirm and Empower the Gospel

The Holy Spirit doesn’t give gifts for display – He gives them for declaration. On Pentecost, the disciples “were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:4). They proclaimed the mighty works of God, and the world took notice.

When the Gentiles received the Spirit, Peter’s companions “were astonished… because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 10:45–46). Even Simon saw in Samaria that “through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given” (Acts 8:17–19). The Spirit’s work is visible, powerful, undeniable.

Jesus promised, “These signs shall follow them that believe” (Mark 16:17–18). And the Lord “worked with them, confirming the Word with signs following” (Mark 16:20). No wonder Paul said, “Our gospel came not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). The Spirit authenticates truth with divine fingerprints.

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Purpose: Building Up and Uniting the Body

Brethren, gifts are never trophies – they are tools. “Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12). The Spirit never divides the body; He builds it. Christ Himself “gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers,” all “for the perfecting of the saints” (Ephesians 4:11–12).

But beware the temptation to prize gifts over character. “Though I have all gifts… and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). The Spirit’s fruit – love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22–23) – is what sustains the gifts. Without fruit, the gifts fade. Without love, the gifts clatter like cymbals in an empty room.

And when we bear fruit, we glorify God: “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8).

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Old Testament Foreshadowings

The Spirit’s generosity didn’t begin at Pentecost. Long before, God took “of the spirit which was upon Moses” and placed it upon seventy elders; “they prophesied” (Numbers 11:25). Saul too “prophesied among the prophets” when “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him” (1 Samuel 10:10).

Joel foretold it: “I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28–29). And Isaiah described the Messiah’s anointing – “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him… the spirit of wisdom and understanding… counsel and might… knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2). What was shadow then is substance now.

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Summary Thought

Every gift of the Spirit is grace in motion – a visible outworking of invisible mercy. Not merit. Not hierarchy. Grace. The same Spirit who hovered over the waters in Genesis now moves through the Church, distributing life, light, and power.

O my soul, the gifts of the Spirit are not ornaments – they are instruments. Let us not resist the Giver. Let us yield to His will. For where the Spirit gives, He also empowers. Where He empowers, He also unites. And where He unites, Christ is glorified forevermore.