Giftedness

This morning I'm turning over this thought from John 3:27

"A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from Heaven." -John the Baptist

All comes from above.  We take so much for granted.

It's also a statement on giftedness.  Here is another translation:

"A man can only receive what was given Him from Heaven."

Any abilities or callings we possess are merely passed down from above.  We do not generate or originate the giftedness; instead, we receive it, and at best, use the gifts in God-honoring ways.  

Paul touches upon this concept in 1 Corinthians as well:

"For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" 

-1 Corinthians 4:7

That first line is striking---"...who maketh thee to differ?"  God maketh me to differ, right?  If I differ, it's because He decided this.  Differ for better or worse?  I supposed to a degree, both.  He forms us with individual strengths and weaknesses. 

It's hard to figure out where our personal choice to develop and use our gifts comes into play.  Clearly it must (thinking about the Parable of the Talents), so these verses do not teach fatalism, but rather a reverence and humility with which we should frame or carry our composite selves.

"...humility is the only acceptable posture of a person in relation to the God who gives a wide variety of gifts on the basis of grace and therefore alone is deserving of praise." -Bible Knowledge Commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:7