The Holy Spirit tells us otherwise in this passage from 1 Corinthians. Through the words of the apostle Paul we understand that God’s spiritual gifts have a necessary connection to our waiting for “the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 7). In other words, the grace of God is not given in order that we might hoard our gifts for own enjoyment, but so that we might be adequately equipped to live as those who anticipate the great coming of our Savior. The very promises that he will “sustain” us (v. 8), that indeed “God… is faithful” (v. 9), are intended to make our hope certain and our confidence sure. And the gifts that God has given us are to be used to declare the praises of the God who called us and to proclaim to all the world the coming of that One whom we anticipate. And so we meditate during Advent upon the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. His first coming, in a state of lowliness and humiliation, guarantees His second coming, in a state of glory and exaltation. And on this day we fix our hope, even as we stand “enriched” in Christ to do His will until He comes.