Don't Squander Your Gift

Today, were going to take up the topic of spiritual gifts. But before we do that, we need a little encouragement from the Scriptures. In Ephesians 3:20-21, we read:

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Did that first phrase really make that great a promise? Yes! And the simple truth is, God does these exceedingly abundantly great things through us. God uses His awesome, infinite power to accomplish His program through us, for His glory. We become the tools He uses to accomplish these great things.

But, How does God direct that power in and through us? he works through our spiritual gifts - gifts that He has personally given to each of us who are His children. God gives us these gifts and He expects us to use them.

But unfortunately, spiritual gifts are little known and little used within the church. When people think about them, if at all, it is usually with confusion. We see that in the passage from 1st Corinthians 12:1, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant." People are often ignorant of spiritual gifts. Paul said that to the church in Corinth because, quite frankly, they were ignorant, as are most people in the typical church today. The topic of spiritual gifts either is not taught or not taught with clarity.

Just to test this out, Do a quick survey: Do you know what your spiritual gift is? Do you actively use your gift in ministry? Do you even know the definition of a spiritual gift? Very few people can answer, yes, to any of those questions. As a result, spiritual gifts remain a mystery and become divisive in many churches. But God meant for them to be the tools He routinely uses to accomplish His plans.

Satan has effectively confused the issue because spiritual gifts are so effective. They are the key element in God's program. According to Elmer Towns, a Dean at Liberty University and a church growth expert,

"I believe one of the key ingredients to building an effective, growing church is spiritual gifts. the key phrase is 'using people where they are usable.' If every Christian were involved according to his spiritual gifts, he would be used in ministering where he is most usable."

Do you hear that? Your spiritual gift allows you to be used where you are most usable. That means where you are most effective. You will never be able to minister the way God wants you to minister unless you minister through using your particular spiritual gift or gifts.

And, yes, as a born-again believer you have a gift, maybe more than one. You do if you are a believer because look at what it says in 1st Corinthians 12:7, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." The manifestation of the spirit is your spiritual gift, given to you at your salvation by the Holy Spirit. It is given to each one - to every born again believer. None are left out. But why? For the profit of all. It is so that you can use your gift to edify and build up the church.

If you are a born again believer, you have a gift. It has been given to you so that you can use it to minister effectively in the church. The only question is this, do you know what it is and are you using it? If not, that's what these next few blog posts will cover.