Congratulations, You Are Gifted. Series

c. For use in the Church

We’ve already looked at the Scripture for this one but I wanted to mention it again here so that there is no confusion. Scripture is clear that Spiritual gifts are mainly for use in the church.

d. Uniquely Suited to each Person

When I was in grade school, I used to have to wear hand-me-downs from my older cousin. The clothes never fit right and I also felt ridiculous when I was wearing them. They just weren’t me. Not the right size, not the right style, not the right colors. I wanted clothes that suited me, ones I was comfortable in. The gifts that God has chosen for us don’t fit any one else, they suit us. They fit right because we were made for them to be a part of us. They’re ours.

Each gift is important. One is not more important than another. Each one is Essential to the Health of the Body, they compliment each other. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 12:14-26.

Your gifts, your ministry are vital to this ministry as are the gifts and ministries of those around you. This is important to understand because it keeps us from peeking around and wishing that we had someone else’s gift or expecting everyone to minister in the same way that we do.

Rick Warren has said in his book “Purpose Driven Life” that there are 2 main problems when thinking about spiritual gifts. One is called “gift-envy”. This means that we compares our abilities and gifts to others. In doing that, we might feel tempted to feel jealous of others or feel dissatisfied with what God has given us. The second problem is “gift-projection”. This happens when you expect other people to have your gift, do things as you do them and to feel the same way you do about that subject with the same passion. This just isn’t going to happen.

The Spirit has given in perfect wisdom gifts that fit, that are suited to each one.

e. Can Have More than One and they can change

To every believer a gift is given. To many God gives a variety of gifts that work together to enable the person to minister in different ways in the church. The apostle Paul claims that he had the gift of tongues, he certainly had the gift of preaching and the gift of missionary among other things. God does not stop at one gift for each person. In fact, in 1 Cor 12:31 he tells us to: eagerly desire the greater gifts.

We are to desire the opportunity to use more gifts in our lives to build the church. We are certainly to be satisfied with the gifts we have but should put ourselves in situations where God can bless us in new ways and use new gifts in our lives. In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, each servant is given a number of talents. The ones who used them wisely were entrusted with more while the one who hid his and wasted it was rebuked and what he had was taken from him. God wants us to use our gifts and if we are faithful with what we have, I believe that He will entrust you with more.

Spiritual gifts can also change. You may have some later in life that you never had before. You may be given a gift for a time or for a specific purpose. I heard the story of a preacher who had the opportunity to speak to an Indian tribe in New Mexico. As the translator stood ready to translate, the preacher began to speak in the language of that tribe. He delivered his message and God moved mightily and many were saved. That man received the gift of tongues for that time and that place and he said it has never happened again. The bottom line is that God will gift in the way that best builds His kingdom through His church. Some may have more gifts than others, some may add or lose gifts over time, but the important thing is that we are faithful with what God gives us and seek to use our gifts for His glory.