Same God, Different Gifts

Christ's followers are given various gifts by the same Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts are to be used to bless, build up, and meet the needs of the Church (the Body of Christ), not to gratify or glorify selves. We are to use these gifts to serve God (by serving others) and to further the kingdom of God for the glory of God. These gifts are not for us to show off or to compare or compete with other people's gifts or to elevate ourselves with. Be careful because spiritual giftedness can lead to spiritual haughtiness. Remember that one part of the body is neither better nor more important than other parts. We don't all have the same function/role. We need one another. Let's be humble and teachable. We should value and appreciate one another's gifts. Don't envy others' gifts. Everyone has been given some gifts. Don't hide them or neglect them. There's no excuse that you cannot serve because you have no gifts, either. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Try this test and see if you agree: https://www.sdrock.com/giftstest/ . 

There are many diverse ministries and ways of serving but we all serve the same Lord. All ministries are to represent and proclaim Christ. No matter what kinds of gifts we have, the same God is working in and through us all. "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." (2 Corinthians 3:5) All gifts and abilities are from God. God also empowers the effect. He gives different effects or results for the use of gifts...for different ministries. Each gift is given for the common good/mutual benefit.
God made each one of us unique on purpose for His purpose. Your talent is God's gift to you; what you do with it is your gift to God. We are called to be faithful stewards of God's grace by using whatever gift(s) we have received to serve others. We are saved to serve! We are blessed to be a blessing! As stewards, we are managers responsible for God's resources/gifts and will be held accountable for using what God entrusts us with according to His will and purpose. Be faithful and responsible in how you use God-given gifts. Every Christian is called to be a team player, not a spectator on a sideline. Various spiritual gifts enable the Body of Christ to function as a whole and to do the Kingdom's work. "Essential to unity is diversity. Unity of spirit and purpose can be maintained only through diversity of ministry. But unity is not uniformity. A football team whose players all wanted to play quarterback would have uniformity but not unity. It could not function as a team if everyone played the same position...God gives His people varieties of gifts just as players on a team have varieties of positions." (John MacArthur)

"But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretense of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come." (Matthew Henry)


Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the diverse gifts and talents You have given us! Please show us how to use them to serve, bless, edify, encourage, and minister to others. Please empower the Body of Christ to work together as a team in unity for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Below are various spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible: