Spiritual gifts: discover and use your gift to serve God
Every Christian has received at least one spiritual gift from God. This truth, clearly taught in the New Testament, has wonderful consequences: no one in the church is a mere spectator, everyone has something valuable to contribute, and God’s work advances when each member exercises his or her gift faithfully. Yet many believers do not know what their gift is, or think that only pastors and leaders have important gifts.
In our article on the gifts of the Holy Spirit we studied the manifestations described in Isaiah 11 and 1 Corinthians 12. Here we focus on the gifts of service and ministry taught in Romans 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4, and offer a practical guide for discovering and using your gift.
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
1 Peter 4:10
Basic principles
Everyone has a gift. Peter writes “as every man hath received the gift”. There are no Christians without gifts.
Gifts come from God. They are not simply natural talents, although God can use and strengthen our abilities. They are grace that the Spirit distributes according to his will.
Gifts are for serving. They are not personal ornaments or grounds for pride, but tools for blessing others and building up the Church.
Gifts are diverse. God does not make copies. The diversity of gifts reflects God’s creativity and makes the Church complete.
Gifts must be exercised with love. Without love any gift loses its value, as 1 Corinthians 13 teaches.
The gifts in Romans 12
Paul writes: “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” (Romans 12:6) and lists seven gifts that many call motivational gifts, because they reflect the way a person tends to serve.
Prophecy
In this context, it refers to the ability to communicate God’s truth clearly and with conviction, calling people to faithfulness and justice. People with this gift often have a strong sense of right and wrong. They must take care that their frankness is accompanied by love.
Ministry (service)
The Greek word is diakonia, from which comes deacon. It is the gift of seeing practical needs and meeting them joyfully: preparing the building, organising events, cooking, repairing, driving. Those who have it are the quiet support of every community.
Teaching
The ability to explain the Word of God clearly and in an orderly way, so that others understand and apply it. Teachers love to study, research and share what they have learned. James warns that teachers bear greater responsibility, so this gift requires humility and preparation.
Exhortation
The gift of encouraging, comforting and motivating others to grow in faith. Barnabas, whose name means “son of consolation”, is a biblical example. People with this gift know how to say the right word at the right time.
Giving
Some people have a special ability to give their resources generously for God’s work and the needs of others. Paul says they should do it “with simplicity”, without seeking recognition.
Ruling (leading)
The gift of guiding, organising and directing others towards a common goal. Paul asks that it be exercised “with diligence”, that is, carefully and conscientiously. Christian leadership is a service, not a privilege.
Mercy
A special sensitivity towards those who suffer: the sick, the elderly, the lonely, the afflicted. Those with this gift accompany others with tenderness and patience. Paul asks them to do it “with cheerfulness”.
The ministry gifts in Ephesians 4
In Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul says that Christ gave his Church “some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”.
These gifts are people given to the Church to equip all believers. Apostles: in a broad sense, sent ones who open new paths and found communities; the twelve apostles had a unique, unrepeatable role as witnesses of the resurrection. Prophets: those who discern and communicate God’s will for edification. Evangelists: those with a special passion for proclaiming the Gospel to unbelievers, like Philip. Pastors and teachers: those who care for, guide and teach the community.
An important detail: the purpose of these ministries is to equip “the saints for the work of the ministry”. That is, leaders should not do all the work, but equip every believer to serve according to his or her gift.
The gifts in 1 Peter 4
Peter sums up the gifts in two broad categories: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). Some gifts are exercised mainly with words (teaching, preaching, counselling) and others with actions (serving, helping, administering). Just before, Peter mentions hospitality, a very valuable gift for opening one’s home and heart to others.
Other gifts mentioned
The Bible also mentions the gifts of helps and governments, or administration (1 Corinthians 12:28), as well as the artistic skill given by the Spirit to Bezalel to build the tabernacle (Exodus 31). Many believers have seen in music, art, writing, technology or craftsmanship ways in which God equips them to serve.
How to discover your spiritual gift
1. Pray
Ask God to show you how he wants to use you. He wants you to know and use your gifts even more than you do.
2. Study the biblical passages
Read Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 to 14, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4 carefully. Note the gifts that awaken interest or a sense of identification in you.
3. Notice what you are passionate about
What needs move you? What activities fill you with joy when you serve? Often a gift is linked to a passion God has placed in your heart.
4. Serve in different areas
The best way to discover a gift is by serving. Take part in different ministries: children, worship, visitation, social action, teaching, logistics. Over time you will notice where there is fruit and where you feel you flow naturally.
5. Listen to others
Ask mature people who know you: where have you seen God use me? The confirmation of the community is valuable for discernment.
6. Evaluate the fruit
When you exercise a true gift, others are built up. Look humbly at the results of your service.
Common mistakes
Comparing: envying someone else’s gift or feeling superior because of your own damages unity. Hiding the gift: like the servant who buried his talent, some don’t serve out of fear or comfort. Using the gift without character: a gift without the fruit of the Spirit can hurt others. Overloading: trying to do everything leads to burnout; each one should serve according to his gift and leave room for others. Thinking the gift is only for church: gifts are also exercised at home, at work and in society.
Gifts and the unity of the body
Paul uses the image of the human body to explain the diversity of gifts. The foot is no less part of the body for not being a hand; the ear is no less important for not being an eye. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? God has set each member as he pleased. Even the members that seem weaker are necessary (1 Corinthians 12:14-22).
This teaching has an ecumenical dimension: the different churches and traditions have also received particular emphases and gifts —liturgy, Bible study, social action, evangelism, contemplative prayer, praise— that can enrich one another.
Spiritual gifts outside the church building
Gifts are not limited to Sunday activities. A person with the gift of mercy can care for a sick neighbour; someone with the gift of teaching can help children with homework in a vulnerable neighbourhood; whoever has the gift of administration can serve in a foundation or community project; whoever has the gift of hospitality can open their home to migrants or students far from their families. In the workplace, the gift of exhortation can encourage discouraged colleagues and the gift of leadership can promote fair and humane environments.
When Christians exercise their gifts in everyday life, the Gospel becomes visible and many people who would never enter a church come to know God’s love through concrete acts of service. In this way every gift becomes a seed of the kingdom of God sown in the midst of society.
Take the first step
Don’t wait until everything is clear before you start serving. Ask your church where there are needs, offer your time and trust that God will guide you. Remember that the ultimate goal of every gift is “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ”.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the gifts you have given me by your grace. Show me how you want to use me to serve your Church and bless others. Deliver me from pride, envy and fear. Give me a generous heart to place my gifts at your service with love and joy. May everything I do be for your glory. Amen.