We are currently in the season of giving gifts. Some gifts will be practical ones, some not so much, but even practical gifts are of no benefit to us if we set them aside and don't use them. Gifts of the Spirit are much the same way. If we don't make use of the gifts of the Spirit, we will not benefit from them. Scripture tells us that there are varieties of gifts. Nothing special about any of us makes us deserving of any gift. The gifts the Spirit gives us are to benefit the whole body, but they are not for our glory. They are for the common good. The gifts don't come to us through our own means; God empowers each and gives us the ability to use the gifts given us. "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:11