Spiritual Gifts

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers (and sisters), I do not want you to be ignorant."
1 Corinthians 12:1

In his letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul explains that when we accept Christ as our Personal Savior, God comes into our lives bringing gifts: gifts for improving our lives, gifts for worship, and gifts for service to God and service to others.  God is not stingy;  He gives us the special gifts that we need in order to live the way He wants us to live, and to do the Christian service that He wants us to do.  He gives us gifts to fulfill His calling on our lives. 

Many of God's gifts are listed in 1. Corinthians 12.  Some gifts and offices of service are also listed in Romans 12, 1 Peter 4 and Ephesians 4.  (See below). 

The true Christian has a desire to serve God because of what God has done at the cross for the Christian. We serve Him because we love Him; we do not serve Him and hope that our service will get us into Heaven. We serve God with gratitude because we are going to Heaven; the Heidelberg Catechism is divided into three parts: Sin, Salvation, Service. We see our sin, we receive salvation at the cross, and then we serve God because of what He did for us. 

We find our gifts through prayer, asking other church people what gifts we have, taking a gifts test (there are many available);  most churches have gifts tests and are ready to help believers find out what their gifts are. Another way to find out what your gifts are is to ask yourself, "What are the things that I enjoy doing?" or "What is it in the church that really interests me?" What your interests are and whatever you are good at are indications that you may have the gifts; God is not a slave-boss, but He wants us to enjoy our service, and what we enjoy doing may be a good indication that God has given that to me as a gift to use in His service. Some people are good singers, and when they become Christians, they often enjoy  using that gift in some way at church.  Others are good teachers and enjoy teaching in Sunday School, and so on. 

Because the church is a community, we have many opportunities for people to try many kinds of things they may otherwise never have the chance to do.  Sometimes people realize they have gifts and abilities they didn't know they had, and then go on to further their education or find jobs that are more fitting.   The church has need of many different talents and prospers well when people use their gifts and creativity to honor God. 

Scripture References 

1.  Corinthians 12: 4 - 11 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."

1.  Corinthians 12: 27 - 30  "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.  Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?  Do all work miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing?  Do all speak in tongues?  Do all interpret?  But eagerly desire the greater gifts." 

Romans 12: 4 - 8 "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  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." 

1.  Peter 4: 7 - 11 "The end of all things is near.   Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen." 

Ephesians 4: 11 - 13  "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."