Gifted Series

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

Before Paul encourages those who have gifts to use them he first instructs them to do what is necessary to be able to use their gifts. We first need to want to be used. When we offer ourselves to God we are telling him that we're ready to be used however he wants to use us.

We commit to no longer live in sin but in the Spirit. We no longer have the focus of putting ourselves first. Instead, our new motive is to please God and benefit his kingdom. We have agreed that his will is better than ours. That takes humility. Paul said we need to think of ourselves with sober judgment.

When God gifts us we can get a swelled head. We can get to thinking we're pretty special. Not that we're not special to God but we're no more special than anyone else and the reason we're special isn't because of anything we have or anything we have done to earn God's favor-it's all as a result of God's love and grace.

So, because of the gifts we have we might be tempted to be proud; we might be tempted to look down on others who don't have the gift we have. Paul wants us to kill that and remember that we are one part of the body and all members are important. And that the gifts we have are because of God's grace, not because of any deservedness on our part.

Then Paul mentions various gifts and encouraging that they be used. He's basically saying, "if this is the gift you have-then use it". Why would he need to say that? Maybe we don't want to use the gift we have. Maybe we don't like the gift we have. Maybe we want the gift that someone else has. So, we decide we're not going to use our gift; we're not going to serve.

This is not the mindset of one who's offering themselves as a living sacrifice unto God. This is not the attitude of the renewed mind. This is not the behavior of one who has the betterment of the whole in mind. This is not the person who recognizes God's grace in their giftedness.

The servant who was given two talents didn't say, "hey, why did he get five and I only got two? No fair! Forget this!" Instead, he accepted what God gave him and he went and did the same thing the one with five did-he doubled it.

And he received the same response from the master as the one who had been given five. "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!"

It's not about favoritism; it's not about preferential treatment-it's about humility, love, gratitude and commitment. If you've got it then you're expected to use it. But we need to use our gifts responsibly.

To qualify: many of the things that are mentioned as 'gifts' are things we all need to be doing. But they are mentioned as 'gifts' because, although everyone should be contributing to the needs of others and being merciful, some people have a special giftedness and calling to do them more extensively.