Gifts & Character

As a disciple of Christ we are encouraged to actively pursue a Gift for the Lord is willing and pleased to give His children good gifts!

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
 ~ 1 Corinthians 14:1

However character is not always tied to gifting. Often it is developed in time. 

Character develops as we come into submission with His commands. As we obey the Lord, we gain His Heart along with His capacity to love.

So the 2 (character & giftings) do not always come together.

1

Sometimes the gift is stronger than character. 

This is a precarious situation, but I believe that it is one that will correct itself in time.
Let's go into a study of such a scenario.
The Gift is relentlessly pursued, and the Lord rewards commitment and persistence by giving the gift.
But then character has to then run and catch up with the gifting that has been given.
Along the way some damage is inflicted upon those who are disillusioned and hurt by the disparity between the gifting and character.
But the Lord is so Gracious in His Ways that He is able to redeem these mistakes.
He protects His children by bringing correction along the way.
When this correction is received, character has developed.
God makes the crooked ways straight.
He exceeds our imaginations by using the very mistakes that were made to do great good.
And so the Lord's ways are established and it is at this point that great fruit is borne.

2

When character came first, then the gift!

I do see this as the ideal.
[Though things don't always follow an ideal, yet the Lord is still able to make it work! Consider the previous example :)]
Let's go into a study of this ideal scenario.
This person has relentlessly pursued and loves the Lord.
They have fallen in love with the Lord Jesus above all.
Their focus is not on gaining honor amongst peers or growing a name, but is entirely set on pleasing the Lord.
Even if that means suffering or being unknown.
Their eyes are set on Him.
And great pleasure comes in obeying the Lord.
Such a person has come into complete obedience with the command to serve in humility.
Their character has matured, and is very much like the Lord Jesus.
They've gained His heart.
They've learned to truly love.
And because this one has sough the Kingdom of God first, now all things will be added to them.
The Lord generously showers the tender-hearted with great gifts.
When the Lord ordains a gift at such a time in this person's development, that gift is a match to their character.
The Grace of God is upon their lives and it flows abundantly.
Not only are there great miracles, but there is understanding.
The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord is with them.
And those who gather around such a person are greatly inspired.
They are deeply touched by the sincerity of those living a life of true holiness.
For the one with the Lord's heart, His humility and His gifts is a BLESSING to all.
They are like a mighty tree that gives shade and bears fruit for all who draw close.

"For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

 That extends its roots by a stream 

And will not fear when the heat comes; 

But its leaves will be green, 

And it will not be anxious in a year of drought 

Nor cease to yield fruit.

 ~ JEREMIAH 17:8