Skip to main content

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?

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Higher Thoughts

  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the  Lord . “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)           The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,   for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord      so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:15-16) If you read about the ancient gods of the various peoples, you’ll find that they think just like people. In fact, they think just like the sort of people we really wouldn’t want to be around. They think like the most corrupt Hollywood producer or, like hormone overloaded teens with no upbringing.   It’s embarrassing to read. I have a friend who argues that because God is not just like us, He is so vastly dif...
2 comments
Read more

A Virgin?

           Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)           This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)           But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”            “How will this be,” Mary asked the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Saved?

  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23) Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:4)   What conclusion do you draw when someone who was raised in a Christian family and church, perhaps even playing a significant role in a chur...
Post a Comment
Read more