Spiritual Gifts

 

My birthday is coming around again soon and, no, I’m not dropping hints for presents! When I was a kid, I looked forward to getting toys and games and other fun things on my birthday. Now that I’m older, I appreciate getting practical gifts that I can use. When I get something that is unexpected, personal, and useful, I feel especially blessed because I know the giver cared enough about me to find the right present.

 

God loves us dearly and knows us intimately. He greatly desires to bless us with good gifts. The gifts He gives us are perfect for the person that we are. Among these are what we call spiritual gifts. They are referred to in a few different places in the New Testament. Romans 12:7-8 lists prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and showing mercy.  1^st Corinthians 12:8-10 lists wisdom, knowledge, discernment, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.  Ephesians 4:11 lists apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as examples of people who have received spiritual gifts.  There are other gifts God has given to His church beyond these which are listed.

 

 God provides spiritual gifts for His people to build up the church and not just for our own benefit. He distributes those gifts among His people so that the church might operate efficiently and effectively when everyone is using the gifts he or she has been given.

 

 Many people fail to realize the gifts that they have been given. Sometimes we begin to see what God has given us only after we have taken the first step of offering ourselves in God’s service to use as He sees fit. Paul told Timothy, “…fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power…” (2 Tim. 1:6-7).

 

 We’ll talk more about spiritual gifts next week.  Until then, spend some time with the Lord discerning what gifts He has blessed you with.