Giftedness

I've been thinking a lot about spiritual gifts.

Truth be told, I didn't just randomly start thinking about them. I told the girls in the college girls' LifeGroup (which I recently started leading) that it would be fun to take a spiritual gifts test and bring the results to our next meeting. So, in preparation for our next meeting, I've been thinking a lot about spiritual gifts.

Did you know:

Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift? (1 Peter 4:10)

No Christian has all the gifts? (1 Cor. 12:28-30)

There is no gift that every Christian possesses? (1 Cor. 12: 29-30)

Spiritual gifts are for the common good to build up the body? (1 Cor. 12:27)

We are instructed to use our gifts in the Bible? (Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12-14, 1 Peter 4:10)

Based on my research, there is a lot of debate about how many different spiritual gifts there are. Some only believe in the gifts listed in Romans 12. Some the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. Even some others the gifts in Ephesians 4.

I like the way the authors of one spiritual gifts assessment put it on their website, "It is not particularly important whether a certain ability is a Spiritual Gift, a blessing from God, a God-given talent, an inherited trait, a natural human ability, or something learned. The thing that is important is that we discover what Gifts are more pronounced in us and to learn how to use them to serve God."

I like the following definition of a spiritual gift, as given by Associate Pastor Mark Hunnicutt - a God-given ability, given by the Holy Spirit at salvation to every believer, to serve the church effectively and to show Christ's love to the church and current culture thereby growing God’s Kingdom, bringing glory to God and building up the Body of Christ.

If you're motivated to learn about your spiritual gifts, I urge you to take an assessment. There are plenty out there that you can pay for. The one I used was free, and if you'd like to take it, click HERE.

I don't know if you're the least bit interested in my results, but just in case you are, the test says that my top three gifts are as follows:

1. Hospitality - The special ability God gives to some to provide an open home and warm welcome to those in need of food, lodging, and fellowship. It involves a readiness to invite strangers to your home (or church) for the sake of the Gospel.

2. Helps / Serving - The gift that enables a believer to work gladly behind the scenes in order that God's work is fulfilled. The special ability God gives to some to serve the church in a supporting roll or to invest their talents in the life and ministry of other members of the body enabling them to increase their effectiveness.

3. Leadership - The special ability God gives to some to set goals in accordance with God's purpose and to communicate these goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish these goals for the glory of God.

Now...go take your own assessment. If you're up for it, post your results as a comment!