In the Capstone career readiness class I teach, my high school students explore their aptitudes. Everyone is good at something. Recognizing their natural abilities and strengths helps students identify careers which they might find fulfilling. If you follow Jesus, he gives you special abilities through his Spirit for you to edify, equip, and reach others with God’s love, truth, and salvation.
It’s important to identify what your spiritual gifts are and to use them for God’s glory. In the parable of the talents, Jesus taught his disciples to faithfully steward what they have been given to be productive and carry out his mission (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27). You are rewarded now and in eternity for doing what God calls you to do with what he has given you. As you follow through with that, God transforms you into the likeness of Jesus and prepares you to rule with Jesus when he returns to consummate his kingdom. If you neglect or abuse God’s gifts and calling you will be disciplined. Jesus concluded his parable of the talents with this statement, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away” (Luke 19:26). So take advantage of the opportunities and abilities God provides you in order to help others and bring him glory.
The Bible lists a variety of spiritual gifts. Here is a brief explanation of them by author, Melissa Henderson:
- Leadership: encouraging and helping others to build the kingdom of God
- Administration: helping with long term goals and remaining on task
- Teaching: instructing in truths and doctrines of God’s Word.
- Knowledge: teaching and discipleship. The ability to learn, know, and explain God’s Word
- Wisdom: the ability to discern works of the Holy Spirit and apply teaching and actions
- Prophecy: proclaiming the Word of God with boldness
- Discernment: being able to recognize the truth about a situation
- Exhortation: people with this gift are enthusiastic about the Lord and they can motivate others
- Shepherding: looking out for the spiritual welfare of others
- Faith: trusting God to fulfill His plan. People with this gift are encouragers
- Evangelism: the building up of the church so others will be led to Christ
- Apostleship: motivators, church planters, missionaries: people who look beyond the walls
- Service/Helps: helping those in need of practical assistance
- Mercy: The person with this gift shows acts of compassion
- Giving: People with this gift will give freely and with joy to further His kingdom
- Hospitality: Making people feel welcome, appreciated, and wanted
also
- Healing
- Miracles
- Intercession
- Speaking and Interpreting Different Languages
- Craftsmanship
In addition to this list, any ability God gives you to edify, equip, and reach others is a spiritual gift. Note: Spiritual gifts are different than the fruit of the Spirit which is: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). The fruit of the Spirit are character virtues which blossom to benefit you and others as you learn to rely on God and yield your will to his Spirit.
So how do you figure out what gifts God in his grace has given you for ministry? Here are four practical questions which can help you recognize them. They are from a sermon by Tim Theule, the pastor of the church I attend.
- What are your interests and passions?
- What skills and experience do you have?
- In what areas have you been fruitful, effective, or received affirmation?
- Where is there a need for ministry?
The intersection of these four answers is a likely indicator of where and how God wants you to serve. Over time as you serve related to these answers, you are better able to discern God’s spiritual gifts for you. In addition, you might find this simple five-minute online survey helpful. Note that your gifts may change in different seasons of life as God calls you to minister in different ways. Also realize that first and foremost God wants you to love and reach others. So just because you may not have the “gift” of hospitality, giving, mercy, or service doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t help people as the opportunity arises. Likewise just because you may not have the “gift” of wisdom, knowledge, shepherding, teaching, or evangelism doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t carry out Jesus’ commission to his followers to go and make disciples, baptizing and teaching people (Matthew 28:18-20). The apostle John encouraged believers along this line, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and truth” (1 John 3:18). Don’t just call yourself a Christian, show it by being open to God your Father providing what you need and working through you to love and reach people in a variety of situations.
As you recognize your gifts and put them into practice, do so humbly and with a motivation of love for God and others. Don’t swell with pride or focus on personal gain. Also don’t be jealous of someone else’s gifts. All believers are a part of Jesus’ body to be his hands, his feet, his eyes, or his voice at work in the world to share with others God’s truth, love, and salvation in diverse ways (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:27). At first you may not feel competent or knowledgeable, but that’s okay. Learn from God. Rely on him to work through you (Luke 11:9-13). He never calls you to do something he doesn’t enable you to do. Don’t worry about the risks, the sacrifice, the results, or how you will be provided for. Seek God’s kingdom first and his righteousness and he promises to take care of you (Matthew 6:33).
In conclusion, here is an exhortation from the apostle Peter. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11).
Note: If you want to learn more about spiritual gifts, “Living Water: The Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life” by Chuck Smith is a helpful book.