Yes — God sovereignly gives every believer a measure of faith and distributes spiritual abilities as the Holy Spirit wills, so some believers have greater faith than others.
Paul says God has dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Les Feldick emphasizes that the Holy Spirit divides gifts to every man severally as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), and that God both imparts each believer's gift and gives the increase. Therefore the difference in faith is God's sovereign distribution, not a matter of human merit.
Romans 12:3 — Paul explicitly says God has dealt to every man a measure of faith, showing that faith is given by God and not in the same measure to everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:11 — The Spirit divides gifts to every man severally as He wills, explaining why believers receive different abilities and measures of faith.
The Bible does not teach that every believer receives the exact same degree of faith. Paul writes that God has dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). The same chapter speaks of gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us (Romans 12:6). The Bible also shows the Holy Spirit controlling the distribution of gifts: "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will" (1 Corinthians 12:11). Since even saving faith is "not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8-9), the measure of faith rests with God's sovereign distribution. Growth in faith is also God's doing. As Paul said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). The measure and the increase both come from God.
Les Feldick teaches that the Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes spiritual gifts and abilities to every believer. In 1 Corinthians 12, Les points out that the manifestation of the Spirit is given, not asked for, and that the Spirit divides to every man severally as He wills. Therefore it is not for a believer to demand a particular gift; instead, he says, the believer should say, "Lord, here I am. I'm available," and let God direct. Les also emphasizes that God imparts each believer's particular gift, whether great or small, according to His will. He compares this to Romans 12:3's "measure of faith" that God gives to every man. In the same way that Paul planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the increase, Les says God is the final cause of spiritual growth and increase. So some believers have greater faith because God gives each person a different measure and then gives the increase according to His direction.
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit divides to every man severally as He wills. He says, "The manifestation of the Spirit is given, not asked for" and points to verse 11: "all these things work, one and the selfsame Spirit dividing to every man severally or differently, as He, the Holy Spirit, wills." Thus, the Spirit determines the distribution of gifts, including the measure of faith, and believers are not to select their own gift.
Les directly rejects the idea of a believer saying, "Oh, I want this gift, or I want that gift." He says the manifestation of the Spirit is given, not asked for. Instead of requesting a particular gift, Les counsels believers to say, "Lord, here I am. I'm available. Use me," and then let God direct through open and closed doors.
Les says that when a direction is not God's will, the door closes. He explains, "If something doesn't fly and the door closes, don't push against it. You just take it as God doesn't want you in that direction, and there's another open door." This relates to faith because believers are to trust God's sovereign direction rather than forcing their own way.
Les encourages believers not to compare gifts or boast in what they have. He says, "Whatever your gift is, don't ever say, 'Boy look what I can do.' It's just a gift that He has given, and He has designated." The response is to put the gift God has given to use and give Him the credit.
The Spirit Divides Gifts As He Wills
Les explains that the manifestation of the Spirit is given, not requested, and the Holy Spirit divides to every man severally as He wills — so believers should not pick their own gift but make themselves available to God.
Everyone Has at Least One Gift
According to Les, God gives every believer at least one gift, and some are given two, according to God's will. This makes each believer's portion different.
God Imparts Each Believer's Gift
Les says God is in control of gift giving and imparts each believer's particular gift, whether great or small, because He is building the body.
Faith Is the Gift of God
Les shows that grace makes salvation possible, but faith is the vehicle, and even that faith is the gift of God, not of works.
Use the Gift God Has Given
Les encourages believers not to say "look what I can do" but to recognize their gift is from God and designated by Him, and then to put it to use.
Be Not Conformed: What Romans 12:2 Really Means for You
He said, She's the one that encouraged me to come out of Iowa State University and go to a good Bible school. She just encouraged me. Well that's what it takes, and as a result there was a life that became productive. Someone who had the gift of exhortation. He that giveth. Now not everybody has that ability. Not everybody has the gift of giving, and I've experienced some that do.
Everyone Serves in Their Own Capacity
Les says God leaves each believer here to serve in whatever capacity they have, whether visiting the sick, prayer, giving, or administration, and believers can serve where they are comfortable without forcing something.
God Gives the Measure and the Increase
Les references the measure of faith God has given to every man and compares the work of faith to planting and watering — God gives the increase. This explains why faith can differ.
Romans 12:3: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
God gives each believer his own measure of faith, so faith is not self-produced or identical in every person.
1 Corinthians 12:11: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The same Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts to each person differently, which is why believers have different measures of ability and faith.
1 Corinthians 12:6: And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
God works in all believers, but the operations and operations are diverse, showing His control over the distribution.
Romans 12:6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Gifts differ according to the grace given to each believer, so the variety in faith and abilities comes from grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Even saving faith is not of ourselves — it is the gift of God, so the measure of faith is not earned.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Spiritual growth and increase come from God, just as the growth of a believer's faith is God's work.
God gives every believer a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), and the Holy Spirit divides gifts to every man severally as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11). Les Feldick adds that God imparts each gift and gives the increase, so the difference comes from God's sovereign distribution rather than human effort.
Yes. Paul writes, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Les emphasizes that grace makes salvation possible, but faith is the vehicle, and that faith is not of works.
Les teaches that the manifestation of the Spirit is given, not asked for. He says it is not for us to say, "I want this gift, or I want that gift." Instead, believers should make themselves available and say, "Lord, here I am. I'm available. Use me."
Les says God imparts each believer's particular gift, whether great or small, and He is the one building the body. The response is to take the gift God has given, be content with it, and put it to use for His glory.
Watch the Teaching: How the Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts — 1 Corinthians 12 Explained