Seek the Giver Before the Gift

Paul says something interesting when talking about spiritual gifts:

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:1 KJV

Why put such an emphasis on prophecy?

I believe prophecy teaches us something about the proper posture behind every spiritual gift.

Think about it.

I cannot prophesy what God wants to say without first going to God to hear what He wants to say.

I have to seek Him.

I have to listen.

I have to sit at His feet.

And then, when He gives me something, I have to obey.

Because willingness isn't enough.

We can say, “God, use me.”

We can desire spiritual gifts.

We can even believe God has given us a gift.

But eventually, the gift has to be used.

Prophecy isn't really prophecy until what was received is spoken or written. In the same way, a gift isn't given simply so I can say, “Look what God gave me.”

A gift is given to be given.

1 Peter 4:10 says:

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another...”

We receive, and then we pour out.

The Gift Reveals the Giver

When we understand this, the gifts stop being about how special or gifted we are.

Instead, we begin seeing them as manifestations of who He is.

Healing points toward the Healer.

Wisdom reveals His wisdom.

Knowledge points toward the One who knows.

Faith reveals the One who is faithful.

And prophecy reveals the God who speaks.

The gifts were never meant to show people how gifted we are. They are meant to reveal who God is.

That's why seeking Him has to come first.

Jesus even warned that signs and wonders alone aren't enough. In Matthew 7, people say, “Lord, Lord,” and point toward prophecy and wonderful works they had done in His name.

Yet Jesus brings the issue back to relationship with Him.

The gift can never become more important than the Giver.

Hearing God Also Means Waiting

Seeking God first also teaches us something else:

Timing.

Just because God gives us something doesn't necessarily mean we're supposed to release it immediately.

Jesus told His disciples:

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” — John 16:12 KJV

Jesus had something to say.

But He waited.

Why?

Because they weren't ready to carry it yet.

Sometimes God waits to answer us for the same reason. He's not being cruel. He knows our hearts better than we do, and sometimes He knows we aren't ready for what we're asking Him to give us.

If we're truly seeking God, then our question can't simply be:

“God, what are You saying?”

It also needs to be:

“When do You want me to say it?”

“Who is this for?”

“Why are You giving this to me?”

“What do You want me to do with it?”

Maturity isn't simply hearing God.

Maturity is hearing God and remaining obedient—even when He says wait.

What About Healing?

This even changes how we approach healing.

We should pray for healing. We should believe God can heal. Jesus repeatedly demonstrated

compassion toward people who were suffering.

But healing can never become more important than the Healer.

Look at Nick Vujicic.

He was born without arms and legs, yet his physical limitations haven't prevented him from traveling the world telling people about God.

What the world might look at and call a limitation has become part of an incredible testimony.

His circumstances didn't have to change for God to use his life.

That's important.

Sometimes God receives glory by changing our circumstances.

Sometimes He receives glory by showing that our circumstances cannot stop what He's doing through us.

Paul experienced something similar with his thorn. He asked God three times to remove it, but God's answer was:

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

Paul wanted something removed.

God showed him what He could accomplish through weakness.

That doesn't mean we stop praying for healing.

It means we stop deciding beforehand what God's answer has to look like.

Instead, we seek Him.

“God, how do You want me to pray?”

“God, what are You doing here?”

“God, how can Your glory be revealed?”

Seek Him First

Maybe this is why Paul's instruction to desire prophecy is so important.

Prophecy forces us back to the feet of Jesus.

Listen first.

Then speak.

Seek first.

Then act.

Receive first.

Then give.

And when we learn that posture, all the other gifts begin falling into their proper place.

We're no longer trying to prove that we're gifted.

We're simply becoming willing vessels through whom God can reveal Himself.

If He says speak, speak.

If He says pray, pray.

If He says wait, wait.

If He heals, glorify Him.

If He says, “My grace is sufficient,” trust Him there too.

Because ultimately, it's not about me.

It's not about my gift.

It's not about people seeing what I can do.

It's about Him.

So maybe instead of beginning with:

“God, what gift do I have?”

We should begin with:

“God, I want You. Teach me to hear Your voice, recognize Your heart, obey Your timing, and become an open vessel through which You can reveal who You are.”

When we seek the Giver first, we finally understand the purpose of the gift.

Pastor Scott