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Gifts

             We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8)

 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you. (Exodus 31:2-6) 

 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (I Corinthians 13:8)

 

What’s your gift? Do you know? How do you know? Part of my struggle with gifts is the nagging thought that spiritual gifts should be something new, different, and impressive. Once you’re saved, you receive this gift and go from being a nobody to one of the top – well – million in the world, which means probably the top fifty in your community. It’s like Bezalel and Oholiab in Exodus, who were gifted for the construction of the Tabernacle.

The problem is that we don’t aren’t shown Bezalel or Oholiab starting their blinks having none of those skills and finished their blinks as master-craftsmen. They could have been trained in Egypt as part of God’s plan. But I suspect we like to think of these giftings as “rags to riches” stories.

What’s more, we tend to rank the gifts. Things that are showy: miracles, prophecy, and even tongues are visible and exciting. But who notices the servant in the corner who waits patiently for the chance to do the dishes?

I’ve taken spiritual gift assessments a number of times, and I’ve been told that I am a leader, an administrator, a teacher. It seems as though every time I take on a leadership, administrative, or teaching role, I’ve failed miserably. But over the past several years, I’ve been weeding people’s gardens in Florida, and while I am not really fond of the job of weeding, I find great fulfillment in how good the places look when I’m done.

The problem with this way of looking at gifts is that it’s more about what pleases me than what results in God getting the glory, or even than what builds up others. And the problem with that way of looking at gifts is that it almost requires that our gifts be something that makes us miserable because if we enjoy it, we’re somehow robbing God. But if  you and your friend both enjoy something, does your enjoyment diminish the friend’s?

 

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