Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gifts: Embracing God’s Unique Call for You

Here’s a little tidbit about me: I love receiving gifts! It doesn’t matter what the gift is, just being given something makes my day. I tell people that while my wife has the gift of giving, I have the gift of receiving. Maybe some of you are like me. 

If so, you’re in luck, because today I want to talk about some special gifts the Holy Spirit has given us. The Bible calls them “spiritual gifts.” Here’s a definition of spiritual gifts that I’ve used for years (this is not original to me, but I can’t recall where I got it. If you recognize it, please let me know!): A spiritual gift is a special capacity, given by the Holy Spirit to each believer at the moment of conversion, that is to be used to serve others and build up the church. 

I like the term “capacity” instead of “ability,” because many times a spiritual gift has to be developed before it becomes effective. For example, a person who becomes a believer at age forty-two and receives the gift of teaching doesn’t always become a great teacher at forty-two. God gives us our gift, but then we are to learn about, practice, and develop this gift so that it changes from a capacity to an ability.

Four major passages talk about spiritual gifts.

First, Paul mentions them in Ephesians 4:7-16. In this passage, we see that the ascended Jesus gave gifts to the church. Paul focuses on how some people are spiritually gifted as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and the dual role of shepherds and teachers. Paul says these people are gifted in these areas “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (v. 12). In other words, these leaders are to use their gifts to equip every member for ministry, which will lead to maturity among the people.

The second passage is 1 Corinthians 12-14. Paul shares multiple truths about spiritual gifts in this passage. He tells us that it’s the Holy Spirit who distributes spiritual gifts to his people as he chooses: 

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11)

We see here that the Holy Spirit gives us the gifts and empowers us to use them. He grants these to all believers, meaning every believer has at least one spiritual gift. He’s the one who chooses what gift(s) to give each of us, so you didn’t receive your gift because of anything you did to earn it. He provides these both for his purposes and the common good of the church. We don’t receive a gift for our benefit but for the benefit of others. 

Paul continues to discuss spiritual gifts in his letter to the Romans: 

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)

Here we find seven gifts and an owner’s manual on how to use them. 

The final passage on spiritual gifts is the only one not written by Paul:

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Peter reminds us that we receive a spiritual gift not for our benefit, but for others, “to serve one another.” The gifts are only on loan to us; we are to steward them, grow them, and use them for the church’s good.

The church contains all kinds of people with all types of gifts. It takes each of us using our gifts to benefit the whole.

In football, you have to know how to play your position. If you start taking plays off, or if you play someone else’s position, the whole team suffers. If you’re an outside linebacker or defensive end, it’s your job to set the edge. You’re responsible for turning any plays coming your way to the inside, where you have help. Even if you don’t make the tackle, you’ve done your job by turning the runner inside. If you’re out of position or don’t set the edge, you have failed your team.

That’s the way spiritual gifts work in the church. If you’re not using your gift, or if you’re playing someone else’s position because you like their gift better, the body of Christ suffers. The church isn’t as effective as it could be. Something is missing. 

God made each of us unique. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Some of you are good at math and science. Some of you are good at English and history. Me? I’m not going to be judged by God on how well I use my math skills for him. I can’t even count change. Fun fact, if you come to the concession stand at a high school football game and I’m working the stand, you might get a great deal based on the change I give you. Or you might get cheated. I say this from experience.

One night, Kim and I eventually figured it out—she took the money and counted the change while I interacted with the people. It was the perfect combination.

Part of your uniqueness is the gift or gifts the Holy Spirit has given you. The church is a body made up of people with all kinds of gifts, and when we use them, we complement each other in a perfect combination, and the church grows and matures as a result.

What are some action steps we can take once we recognize the importance of spiritual gifts?

Know your gift or gifts. There are lots of spiritual gift tests or inventories on the market, so trying one of those is a great exercise. But don’t wait to discover your gift before you start serving. Step out there in ministry, serving in different areas to help you understand where you best fit. Also, study what the Bible says about spiritual gifts. You can pray for God’s guidance in understanding your gift. Start serving, ask for feedback, and get effective training for what you’re doing.

If you’re a believer, you have at least one spiritual gift. The body of Christ can’t function to its full potential if you’re not developing and using your gift. God created you for a purpose, and your purpose is tied closely to your giftedness. Though the church consists of people from different backgrounds with different abilities and personalities, each person has a unique place to fit in the body. When believers use their gifts to the glory of God, the individual pieces fit together to make something extraordinary. 

Are you using your gift?

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