Use What You’ve Been Given…Only?

“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 ‭ESV‬‬

I was thinking awhile back about spiritual gifts (the special gifts given to followers of Christ). There are so many gifts and each one has a uniquely special purpose. One gift is not better than the other. Just as one part of the body is not better than another. They each serve a specific, meaningful purpose.

I know it is incredibly beneficial for the Church for you to use your gifts. But is it damaging to try to use a gift you were not given?

For example, the gift of administration isn’t something that is glamorized in the church. They work behind the scenes. They keep things flowing. They keep things in check and in balance. When someone uses their gift of administration it can almost be overlooked how useful their gift is because everything is running smoothly.

But walk into a situation when someone is running the show that doesn’t have this gift and you can see the ramifications like a falling house of cards. You can see the chaos. You can feel the tension of uneasiness. You can quickly determine the person in charge needs someone with the gift of administration to be their wingman.

It is like in the business world. You wouldn’t trust someone who can’t balance their personal checking account to handle your businesses financials. Would you? Would you give someone your calendar to handle your appointments who is always late? Would you trust someone who always loses their glasses or car keys to keep track of employees and deadlines?

Most likely not.

People are gifted in different areas. So, should an unorganized person be in charge of organizing?

The same can be said for people who greet or welcome people. Do you want someone who lacks the gift of hospitality to open the doors? A warm smile and friendly word is so important with first impressions. But if the first impression the Church gives off isn’t a good one, is that person helping or hurting by filling a hole?

Or would it be better to have a hole until the right person with the right gift can fill it?

What about the gift of teaching? Churches are always looking for people to teach classes. Some people have the gift of compassion and service that can be used in these situations, but if they don’t have the gift of teaching, should they teach? They can love and encourage kids and students in this arena, but if they don’t have the gift of teaching is it best to let someone else do the teaching? Can a bad teacher do more harm than good?

I’ve had teachers that I remember in my past that still give me a bad taste with things they said or how they taught. Their lives didn’t reflect what they were teaching. All they did was read a few verses the night before and rotely recite the lesson like a computerized machine.

We need to use the spiritual gifts we’ve been given and flourish them. Enhance them. Cherish them. Use them. And improve them.

But should someone who doesn’t have the gift of tongues, try to get it? Should someone who doesn’t have the gift of prophecy work at learning it? Should someone who doesn’t have the gift of preaching, share the message in front of the masses? Should someone who doesn’t have the gift of mercy or compassion, have their mission field in the hospitals?

When we try to use gifts we want to have and push aside the gifts we do have, wouldn’t that hinder the Church – Christ bride – Christ love.

How do you think God feels when we don’t cherish the gifts He has given us? Gifts He chose for us to have.

God doesn’t see one gift more special than another. God sees each gift as a way to share His love.

May we also be like Him and not see one gift better than another. And then maybe we will start to see what we have. We may really start to see them as a Gift.

So, go and use what you have. He’s chosen you to have it for a reason.

It’s time to start reaching your potential. And He sees your potential. And He’s waiting for you to see it in yourself.

So love the gift He’s given you. And stop trying to attain a gift He hasn’t. And may we learn that difference. Once we do then unbelievable, supernatural things can happen. Revival can be ignited when we allow the Spirit to use us the way the Spirit wants to use us.

Not the way we want to be used.

Peace

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