"And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them..." (Romans 12:6).
Here is a hypothetical illustration: A small child enters a room carrying a glass of water. The glass slips out of the child's hand, falls to the floor and shatters.
The prophet's response to the accident is, "That's what happens when you are not careful."
The servant's response is, "Let me help you clean it up."
The teacher's response is, "The reason you dropped the glass was because you were only holding it with one hand, and the outside of the glass was slippery and wet."
The exhorter says, "Next time be just a little more careful. Carry it a little more cautiously, remembering what just happened so that it does not happen again."
The gift-giver says, "You know, I was downtown yesterday and bought glasses just like that. Let me replace the one you broke."
The mercy-extender response, "don't feel too badly. It could happen to anyone. It's alright."
The leader knows, depending on the child's response, whom to call in to minister to the child.
How would you respond?
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