What's your motive?

1 CorinthiansIn the second half of chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians, we read about the need to regulate the use of the gift of tongues.  What Paul discusses here can be applied to any gift of the Holy Spirit.  That is to say, when we use our gifts, we should be glorifying God and helping others to grow closer to Him.  If we're just speaking in tongues to feel important, there's no point.  Likewise, if you're playing an instrument in worship to God, but are really focusing on how much people look up to you for that, there's no point.  You need to do these things for the glory of God and to help others to see His glory.  That's the point!  What's your motive?

Many gifts and one Spirit

1 Corinthians
The first part of 1 Corinthians 12 discusses how there is one Spirit (the Holy Spirit) but he gives many gifts.  Paul lists out a number of gifts, such as healing, prophecy, knowledge, and tongues.  But he didn't mean for this to be an exhaustive list of the gifts that are available through the Holy Spirit.  Rather, these are examples of the abundant gifts that God has given us to grow in Him.  How has he gifted you to do his work?