I have been asked to write an article about the use, or uses of, our gifts, talents, and abilities to carry out the Great Commission based on a comment I made yesterday: “Wouldn’t it be tragic to use the gifts and abilities God gives us for selfish ideals and ambitions rather than His Kingdom purposes?! How will we explain this when we are face to face with Him?”
My intention is not to go into detail, nor insight debate or argument, but to enlighten the motive behind my statement, and to enlarge upon what was said.
Spiritual Gifts:
God’s objective of giving spiritual gifts has always been to promote “the common good” of those within the body of Christ, that is to strengthen and to tighten up (hone and refine) the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ for which He died, and to prepare her for “works of service . . . 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” (1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 14:12; and Ephesians 4:12–13).
Every individual who truly receives the grant of deliverance, or rescue, by faith in Jesus Christ, becomes in that moment of redemption, indwelt by Holy Spirit, (permanently lives within the believer), Who is the Guarantee of Salvation.
12 “that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in Whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:12–14)
The Holy Spirit, Who is “the Gift,” then offers to each believer specified abilities from God to execute the work the Father assigns to that believer, whether short-term or permanent. (1 Corinthians 12 speaks of these gifts and their uses, but one cannot neglect the truth of chapter 13, which points out “the greatest gift is Love!”).
Regardless of what the gift may be, its only intention in use must always be to instruct and season His Church and to glorify God alone, while serving others, and never to be used to attract importance to oneself or staging a pretentious exhibition. This became one part of the problem in the church in Corinth. The Apostle Paul pointed out that some of its members were exerting “spiritual gifts” to spotlight themselves without interest in what others may have been doing (1 Corinthians 14:4), resulting in unruliness and confusion during the church’s worship service (1 Corinthians 14:23, 27–28).
Physical Gifts or Abilities:
There are some confusions about gifts, talents, abilities. Let me make a few observations on these things in the human from a human perspective. I have known some people who were very gifted in their physical abilities and talents that pat themselves on the back being boastful and self-centered on whatever it is that they discovered they could do. Some have even said that God had no part in these developments (This also includes mental achievements). That is a very sad and prideful conclusion.
We all know people who are very skilled at working with their hands. They can build, fashion or repair anything needful. They become masters using materials and tools with ease. Then there are those whose hands are mostly good for eating, and not much else. Then there are those who work at great things using their minds. Their ability to see things, and to think things through is also a great skill.
My understanding is that our Creator God instills within everyone a deep and unconscious leaning toward certain skills and abilities that are honed and defined many times as we grow and develop. You will eventually find your many niches of comfort and interest in life. You were created with unique gifts and talents, and beloved, you were not created with these things solely for your own enjoyment, though you certainly will enjoy using these gifts. No, the world needs you to use them. God gave you a specific role to fill, and the world needs you to do that too.
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: . . . “(Romans 12:6a)
All the talents, skills, and abilities, even desires, are given to us by God, not because we deserve to have them, but out of His loving kindness. Therefore, we ought to use them to serve God and all others, this in turn gives God much glory and honor. Ultimately, it is thus so that we can invest them into His Kingdom work of expansion.
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Yes, God gives both physical and spiritual gifts with the expectation that they each will be used to be a help to both the world and His Church. Even resources gained from talents and skills, ought to be shared with others to make the world filled with the love of our neighbors; and did you know, everyone who is not you is your neighbor!?
Beloved, share! Pray On!