God’s Gifts
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”.
James 1:17
The Bible has much to say about the gifts that God gives us. The new testament specifically speaks about spiritual gifts. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Corinthians 12:1). These gifts are as follows:
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues”
1 Corinthians 12:8-10)
Paul also speaks of the endowments in Romans 12:6-8, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
While we may all have different gifts, Paul goes on to say that no matter what they may be, we should always behave in a Christ-like earnestness. Every blessing is given to us, we are to cultivate it as good stewards and to the best of our ability and to the glory of God (Matthew 25:14-28). The following advice will guide us in the right use of our blessings and make them most effective for God’s glory and the blessing of others:
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13).
May the greatest gift ever given to us, God’s love demonstrated in Jesus Christ, live in our hearts (John 3:16). For God is glorified when we follow in Christ’s footsteps by using our gifts prayerfully in building up of His people and showing others how to do the same.
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church”.
1 Corinthians 14:12
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
