The Importance of Gifts XIII
We have reached our second to last spiritual gift and unlike some of the gifts that we have looked at up to this point, it is not a gift that is overlooked. Instead, it is a gift that often is not taken seriously enough. The gift that we are discussing today is the gift of leading.
The idea of leading is to stand before others and guide them. Many people may pray that they have this gift, but they need to ensure that they are using it correctly. As we have discussed throughout this series, the spiritual gifts are designed to give glory to God and not ourselves. There are some who would seek to have this gift because they desire to have the spotlight, they are similar to those described in Matthew 23:1-7.
“23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger. 5 And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues, 7 and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people.”
This is not using the gift of leading correctly because it seeks to bring glory to the individual rather than keeping the focus and glory on God. It is unfortunate, but there are many pastors and leaders out there today who would fit this description. For an individual to possess the gift of leading, they would diligently seek to guide others to Christ. They would come alongside those who are struggling and show them that it is Christ who can lift their burdens. Ultimately, they would adapt the attitude of Christ in Matthew 20:28. “28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”. As with the gift of giving that we discussed last week, we need to examine the individuals motives who claim to have the gift of leading. Are the doing it to bring glory to themselves? Or are they continually coming alongside others and pointing them to Christ?
Seek the truth and encourage one another
Alex