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!
Who He made us to be and called us to do is enabled by the beautiful gifts he has given. The most fulfilled we can be is when we are who He made us to be and doing what He has called us to do.
Amen Mark. Like Demos Shakarian’s book, The Happiest People on Earth.