As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Do you have a hidden talent—something you are good at that no one else really knows about? Maybe you can do a backflip or handspring, play one classical piece on the piano flawlessly, or speed read with excellent comprehension and recall. These talents are often hidden because we don’t really have an audience to show them to or a place for them in our everyday lives. What used to be an everyday practice, like playing a sport or musical instrument, is set aside as we grow older and focus on our careers and daily routines.
Spiritual gifts are different. They aren’t about us at all, really. These gifts are God given, used to bring Him glory, and dependent on His power at work in us. Second Corinthians 5:14-15 says, “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.” Christ’s love motivates us to use our gifts for Him instead of doing things for our selfish purposes, and the Holy Spirit helps us serve others as Jesus would.
Even when we may not see our spiritual gifts working the way we imagined, we can rest in the hope that we make an eternal investment when we use our gifts because of the Giver and for the Giver instead of showing off a skill for our own glory that will be easily forgotten or fade away.
- What compels you to serve others? Is it the love of Christ or selfish ambition?
- How have you seen gifts be used for personal gain or glory in the church? How have you seen spiritual gifts be used to glorify God?
- Pray and thank God for the people who have used their spiritual gifts to show the love of Christ to you.
