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| Mike Hosey, Elder |
What are your spiritual gifts? Think about it for a moment and make a mental list.
Often, when people respond to that question and make their list, they answer it with an inventory of talents instead of a list of spiritual gifts. For instance, they may say, “well, I can sing,” or “I can speak,” or “I can cook.” But these are not spiritual gifts. Instead, these are talents.
Now, talents may be gifted to you by God, but they are not the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in the Bible. You are either born with a talent, such as being able to sing, or being generally musical, or you learn and develop a talent on your own, such as being able to cook. You can then use those talents for your own benefit, or to benefit others.
The Spiritual gifts, however, are given to you by the Holy Spirit after you become a Christian, and are for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God, and for building up the common good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). The Bible lists some of those gifts in Romans 12:3-8. For instance, among others, Romans lists the spiritual gifts of prophecy, service and teaching. These are broad gifts designed to build the church up. Interestingly, God may then use your talents to manifest those gifts.
For example, you may be talented with the ability to speak well, God may then gift you through the Holy Spirit with prophesy. You would then use your talent of speaking well to share your prophetic gift by declaring the will of God clearly to other Christians.
You may have a talent for business and making money, but a spiritual gift of generosity. You would then use your talent of making money to implement your gift of generosity. Some gifts, such as service, don’t come with any distinguishable talent. You may simply be gifted with a desire and ability to serve those around you, even when they appear unlovable.
So what gifts has the Holy Spirit given you? You can begin to answer that question by reading Romans 12:3-8, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
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