Are Spiritual Gifts Mine Or God's?

Every Christian is to be an active member in a local church family and one of the ways that we live that out is by using the talents that God has given us in order to build up His church. We call these talents "spiritual gifts" and we have the responsibility of using them to glorify God... however, not everyone does so, do they?

I truly believe if we know the answer to the question "Are spiritual gifts mine or God's?", then we will be actively serving God and our church the way that we are supposed to. You see, when people mention spiritual gifts, they often say "my spiritual gifts" instead of "the spiritual gifts that God has entrusted to me". If we say "my spiritual gifts" then the focus is on me but if we say that these spiritual gifts belong to God, then we remember that we are only stewards of these spiritual gifts.

By making that distinction, it is no longer "I have the choice to use my spiritual gifts or not". Instead, it is "I am required to use these spiritual gifts because I am accountable to God". Romans 12:3 (ESV) — 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. When we serve God and our church family by using these spiritual gifts, we are no longer focused on ourselves.

How do you discover the spiritual gifts that you are supposed to be using? Sometimes it is a trial and error situation. Instead of making a long-term commitment, start with something that is temporary and see how well it goes. Ask yourself what areas of the church should you be serving in such as leadership, teaching, church maintenance, caring for senior adults, etc. Also ask your church leaders and other church members where they suggest for you to begin.

The fact of the matter is this. You need the church and the church needs you. By each one of doing our part, we can obey these words from Paul in Ephesians 4:16... "when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."