SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift from God (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:8–12; see also chapters 13–14; Ephesians 4:11–12; Romans 12:6–8). “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6–8). Even a casual reading of the above passages makes it clear we should concentrate on the gift we have been given. When one begins to make himself available to the Lord’s work, he will notice that there are certain things he can do better than others, and he needs to concentrate on his gift. He may wonder why others cannot see the need to help or do a certain job, but he sees the need because God gave him the desire and gift for the need at hand. And if I am good at one gift, why should I seek another? It is God Who gave these gifts. In the Old Testament there is a passage about a man named Shamgar “which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad…” (Judges 3:31). David could not use the armor of King Saul because he had not proved it but instead killed Goliath with a sling (1 Samuel 17:38–51). More examples could be given, but the point is, use what God has given you. That is what God will bless, and you will do more than those who have what the world believes is more important. Also, all the spiritual gifts were to help others, not to build ourselves up but for the edifying of the church. “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12).
Do not bury your gift, as you will give an account for how you use it, even if you think it insignificant (Luke 19:20–23). In John chapter 6, there were five thousand men, plus women and children, who were fed by a miracle of Christ. When the disciples were asked how such a multitude could be fed, Andrew responded: “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9). Christ received the bread and fish and blessed them, and everyone ate what was blessed. Two things were given to Christ, and two things were blessed. But I believe others were there that had food. It is hard to believe out of a multitude of people that only one boy brought food, but only one boy was willing. If someone had said, “I have a few figs,” or raisins or cheese or whatever they were willing to give up to Christ, then Christ would have blessed that also, and instead of two things, five things would have been blessed and given to the multitude.
Little is much when God is in it. Concentrate on what God has given you. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift from God (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:8–12; see also chapters 13–14; Ephesians 4:11–12; Romans 12:6–8). “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6–8). Even a casual reading of the above passages makes it clear we should concentrate on the gift we have been given. When one begins to make himself available to the Lord’s work, he will notice that there are certain things he can do better than others, and he needs to concentrate on his gift. He may wonder why others cannot see the need to help or do a certain job, but he sees the need because God gave him the desire and gift for the need at hand. And if I am good at one gift, why should I seek another? It is God Who gave these gifts. In the Old Testament there is a passage about a man named Shamgar “which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad…” (Judges 3:31). David could not use the armor of King Saul because he had not proved it but instead killed Goliath with a sling (1 Samuel 17:38–51). More examples could be given, but the point is, use what God has given you. That is what God will bless, and you will do more than those who have what the world believes is more important. Also, all the spiritual gifts were to help others, not to build ourselves up but for the edifying of the church. “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12).
Do not bury your gift, as you will give an account for how you use it, even if you think it insignificant (Luke 19:20–23). In John chapter 6, there were five thousand men, plus women and children, who were fed by a miracle of Christ. When the disciples were asked how such a multitude could be fed, Andrew responded: “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9). Christ received the bread and fish and blessed them, and everyone ate what was blessed. Two things were given to Christ, and two things were blessed. But I believe others were there that had food. It is hard to believe out of a multitude of people that only one boy brought food, but only one boy was willing. If someone had said, “I have a few figs,” or raisins or cheese or whatever they were willing to give up to Christ, then Christ would have blessed that also, and instead of two things, five things would have been blessed and given to the multitude.
Little is much when God is in it. Concentrate on what God has given you. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
