If God gave one person a gift of healing but not another, does that make Him a respecter of persons?

Answer:

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills" (I Corinthians 12:4-11).

Every Christian during the first century did not receive the same gifts from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit decided how best to distribute His gifts. Some Christians received no gift at all. "All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?" (I Corinthians 12:29-30). However, this doesn't mean God was preferring some Christians over others.

Do you remember the parable of the vineyard workers? All were paid the same amount, regardless of how long they worked. "When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.' But he answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'" (Matthew 20:10-15). The mistake was made in viewing gifts as something owed to us. Gifts are given at the discretion of the giver. The one receiving a gift is favored, but it doesn't mean others are less because a gift was given.

The Holy Spirit had a purpose for the various gifts. The gifts helped confirm that the message being taught came from Him. Not everyone needed the gifts.