Question: How does one know what his Gifts are?

So, a question was received, asking how one knows what his "gifts" are? The question was accompanied by an article that emphasized the importance of each of us using the "spiritual gifts" that God has given us, each doing that to the benefit of those around us. The point is well made that 1) our gifts, whatever they are, come from God, and 2) when we use our gifts, others benefit.

From what I see in the Bible, when discussing gifts, it is necessary to study the subject in context. For example, the article relates 1Corinthians 12 to us quite a bit. It is important to recognize that in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church he was dealing with a problem that existed in that church at that time. We get lessons from it, but we have to consider the context. We see in studying chapters 12 through 14 that they were having a special and significant problem with this matter of gifts--they were arguing and dividing over it. In chapter 12, Paul emphasizes unity--don't divide; God is not divided; the church should not be either. In chapter 13, he emphasizes love; that is more important than gifts. And in chapter 14, he points out that there are some speaking in tongues (languages), but there was no one to interpret, so no benefit received.

Looking at gifts in the Bible, we must first recognize that there were, at that time, miraculous gifts being given, like the ability to heal, to prophesy, to speak in unknown languages. We don't have that today. A previous blog entry dealt with that. But we all have certain gifts and abilities, all given by God. And so, that brings us back to the original question: how do we know what our gifts are?

I'm sure that this can be answered in many ways, but I go to two passages in the Bible that I feel shed good light on this. First, 1Cor. 13 says that "love never fails.......And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." The other passage is Romans 12. I can't record all of Romans 12 here, but be sure and read every word. Verse 6 says, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them...."

Any discussion of gifts should reference the teaching of Jesus regarding the talents (Mathew 25:14). One man was given 5 talents to use to the master's benefit, another was given 2, and the third was given 1, "to each according to his own ability". Jesus' teaching was clear, that we need to use our "talents," whatever we are given, to God's glory here on earth.

And in conclusion, it seems to me that the question is not, "how do we know what our 'gifts' are?" but rather, "How do we best use what we have been given to His glory." If this does not completely answer the question, then "get back at me." And thanks for asking....and thanks for reading!