July 2024 – Wisdom From the Word

Having Gifts Part 2

In this first post in this series, I provided a brief overview and sampling of gifts and their use, while noting that scripture has much to say about the subject. I concluded that we need to both discern and use the gifts we have been given. Now we look a little further into what scripture has to say, beginning with the Old Testament (OT). The clearest example is gifts given for the building of the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness.

¹ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³ And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴ to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵ in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. Exodus 31:1–5 (NKJV)

The passage goes on to name others but the main point is the gifts came from the Spirit and were commensurate with the task. Nothing suggests that these abilities were removed from Bezalel, merely that they were given for a specific task. I say this to note that whatever gifts we have, they can be used wisely, carelessly, or misused. We don’t who made the golden calf in Exodus 32 beyond ‘they’ (Exodus 32:20). Aaron’s assertions that he threw gold into the fire and the calf came out is far less than plausible (Exodus 32:22-24). In a similar manner gifted speakers can persuade us to embrace right or wrong ideas but the gift is the same.

An example of gifts used for a godly purpose is David’s development of musical instruments. David, the ‘man after God’s own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) was a worshipper and due to his heart desire and at Yahweh’s command, created musical instruments to be used in worship.

⁶ And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the Lord, which King David had made to praise the Lord, saying, “For His mercy endures forever,” whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood. 2 Chronicles 7:6 (NKJV) See also 2 Chronicles 29:25–27 (NKJV)

The gifts we have been given are meant to be used to glorify God. Bezalel and David both did that with their gifts. Another gift Yahweh gave in the OT is prophecy. Jacob/Israel had it. We see it in operation in Genesis 49:1-28. The chapter begins with a declaration.

¹ And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: Genesis 49:1 (NKJV)

Jacob then goes on to prophetically tell each of his sons what will happen to them as a tribe of Israel in the future.

Yahweh gives gifts but we need to choose what to do with them. An example is Balaam in Numbers 22-24. Balaam had a genuine prophetic gift and was hired to curse Israel but instead declared blessing over them. His heart was corrupt, his prophecies were true. Balaam didn’t misuse his prophetic gift, instead he misused the influence he acquired through his gift. He couldn’t violate what Yahweh told him to speak prophetically so he sought to overthrow the fruit of his own gifting by counselling the king of Moab on how to entice the Israelite’s into sexual sin.

¹ Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. Numbers 25:1 (NKJV)

The reason we know this came from Balaam is from what Jesus said in Revelation.

¹⁴ But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Revelation 2:14 (NKJV)

It is clear that gifts can be used or misused so now we can draw some conclusions. As noted in my last article, gifts are given to be used. In using them we are called to use them wisely, and of course the wisest thing we can do with our gifts is glorify God. Jesus noted that even if we give a cup of cold water in His name, we will not lose our reward (Matthew 10:42). Compassion and empathy is a wise use of a gift. Given that what counts in the end is how we use the gifts we have been given, it is best to use them wisely and look forward to hearing on that great day the words from Matthew 25:23, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Having Gifts Part 1

Scripture has much to say about the use of our gifts and talents. In some sectors of the church discovering and doing tests for spiritual gifts became a bit of an industry a few decades ago. I don’t know if that is still the case. My focus here is twofold. What we can learn from scripture about the use of our gifts and talents and what does the use of them look like in practice. I am not going to enumerate all of the gifts in scripture. One reason being, if we take teaching as an example, the use of the gift can look very different in two people who are both gifted teachers. Our calling is to be who He made us to be not try to be someone whom we may admire. If we are trying to be someone else then we are missing from the body and someone else has to take on our role. The same is true of any gift, ranging from preaching to helps. Below is a sampling of gifts from Romans.

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12:6–9 (NKJV)

In considering this sample there is an element that is generally not addressed. Paul’s exhortation about using the gifts we have been given is preceded by an exhortation to consecrate ourselves to His service (Romans 12:1-2). The obvious implication is that we are most fruitful in the use of our gifts, or they may work more effectively in and through us, if we are wholly committed to following the word and the Spirit.

The gifts we have are abilities He has imparted to us. Let me share an example. At events my wife and I often find ourselves helping in the kitchen and doing the dishes. Recently we were doing this at a church event and the previous day at a Pickleball event. At church someone asked if I minded washing dishes. I responded no, as my mother had us start helping with them at about age 5. That however is not the whole truth, I enjoy helping, which makes sense given I spent my career in the helping professions. Is this a spiritual gift? I think it is as He designed me to both lead and help and it is part of who I am.

At the same time, I also recognize that I do not possess the gift of hospitality. I enjoy spending time with people but after a while I am looking for an opportunity to get away and recharge. On an introversion-extroversion scale I am more in the introversion range. Is this a bad thing, no. Others carry this gift and express it very well. I can host if needed but it is not part of who I am so if I am wise with my time I will spend it in areas where I carry a gift with me because grace comes with the gift.

The same is true of you. Whatever He has called you to He has gifted you for; the gifts and callings go together. If you don’t know your gifts spend some time with Him and reflect on the bent of your heart. If you follow it in partnership with Him you will be led to your area of gifting.

Lastly, the title began a sentence, now we complete it. Having gifts, let us use them!

His Blueprint

When someone plans a house, the architect develops the plans and blueprints. The architect can envision the whole project before the hole is even dug for the basement. Then those from the various trades who actually build the house need to follow the blueprints as they not only provide the broad overview, they also provide the details. I will share an example.

When we first got married my wife and I had a house built. The blueprints were in place for a purpose. I would drop in to see how things were progressing. One day I showed up and went into the master bedroom to look at the wiring. A young man, that I assume was an apprentice electrician, was installing the electrical boxes for the outlets. When I looked at what he was doing I asked him if he was aware that he was installing the plug ins in the closet – he wasn’t because he wasn’t following the blueprints.

We had a couple of additional issues. We designed the lighting in the kitchen to have one light near the sink and one over the table at the eating area. Someone decided the room wasn’t that big so put one light in the centre of the room. They had to change it because they chose not to follow the blueprints. We had also designed a small storage area at the back door and arrived one day to find it had not been put in, there was wall there. Someone decided we didn’t need it because there was a small closet back there. Another change was required because, you guessed it, they weren’t following the blueprints!

Scripturally, the Father is the architect and Jesus is the overseer of the project called the church, which He said He would build (Matthew 16:18). We are each a part of the building; Peter refers to us as ‘living stones’ being built into a ‘spiritual house’ (1 Peter 2:5).

In 1 Corinthians Paul described himself as a wise master builder. In fact, the Greek word for ‘master builder’ is architektōn. I am sure you recognize the word architect in it. Paul is obviously not the architect in the same sense as the Father, but he is a junior architect building the church. In this capacity he provided blueprints he received from Jesus that we are expected to follow.

An architect or master builder designs proper structures. Based on the things revealed to him by Jesus, Paul laid Jesus as the foundation in the lives of the Corinthian converts. Now he exhorts them, and by extension us, to be careful with what we build on this foundation.

Knowing the what is important, we know we need to build something, the how is another matter. If we are to build on Christ, we need some idea of how, which Paul provided. One place is Ephesians 4:17-32. Paul told us the behaviours we are to demonstrate and says it is accomplished by ‘putting off’ the old man and ‘putting on’ the new man.

²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22–24 (NKJV)

Paul says that the way we accomplish this lifestyle change is by being ‘renewed in the spirit of your mind.’ This renewing of our mind is the fruit of intimacy with Jesus, not the fruit of gritting our teeth and exercising our willpower. When we spend time in His presence we are changed by Him. Paul presents this reality in Philippians.

¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

I added the Amplified bible as it brings out the nuances. If we pursue a deep intimate relationship with Jesus’ we will find that we are following the blueprint provided by the architect and others will see the fruit of it in our lives. Let’s follow the blueprint and if we put the lights or plugins in the wrong place, He will let us know as we sit with Him, and we can go back to the blueprint.

Being Found Faithful

1 Corinthians 4:2 has been significant in my life for nearly three decades. It is a verse the Spirit impressed upon my heart, the need to be ‘found faithful.’ Here we will look at it in context along with the broader implications.

¹ Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NKJV)

My focus has been on the faithful aspect. However, there is also the issue of what we are to be faithful with. To delve into that we will look at three words, servant, steward and mysteries. The Greek word that we translate as servant refers to an underling or attendant. That is, the servant doesn’t carry authority over the one they serve. They are there to follow directions. The Greek word we translate as steward refers to someone in charge of a household. They have authority over the affairs of the household, as they have been entrusted with this responsibility by the master or owner of the household. A mystery is something mysterious or secret.

Now as ‘servants of Christ’ it is obvious that we are called to serve Him and under Him. For Paul, in this context he referred to himself as serving Jesus by stewarding mysteries, one of which is Jesus household. Just a few verses back we find Paul referencing God’s building.

¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. ¹⁶ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ¹⁷ If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Corinthians 3:10 – 17 (NKJV)

Paul saw one aspect of the mystery he was stewarding was that in his apostolic role he had laid the foundation of Christ in the lives of the Corinthian converts. Each one of them, or as we move forward, us, is responsible for what we build on the foundation. We are stewards of our own household, a stewardship entrusted to us by Yahweh. The judgment seat will be an accounting of our stewardship and will determine what remains of our house.

In fact, our house, the one we are building each day by our choices, is our part in His temple. It is our assigned area of responsibility. This is where the idea of mystery comes in. For Paul the mysteries were things hidden in the Father’s heart that had been revealed to him. The same is true for each of us (see 1 Corinthians 2:9-13). We build our house through correct moral choices, through how we interact with and love others and through discerning and walking in our calling as we pursue the spiritual revelation and understanding the Spirit desires to unveil to us. Mysteries He has hidden for us, not from us.

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV)

There we have it, each of us called to be a servant of Jesus and a faithful steward of whatever mysteries He has revealed as we have sought His heart.