What are you doing with your gifts?

For the last 7 weeks, I've been taking Discover Your Spiritual Gifts class at Willingdon church, last Sunday was the last class, so I thought I write a blog about what I've learned from the class. I've truly learned a lot in this class, not only do I have more clarity with what gifts I've been blessed with, but also understanding a bit more of what God calls us to do with our gifts. The first thing we have to understand that God is the giver of all spiritual gifts.

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

The next thing we have to understand is that all spiritual gifts are important. We all fall into the trap thinking that same gifts are more important than others. I know for me, I tend to think gifts such as leadership, wisdom, faith, evangelism are very important. Gifts such as administration, hospitality, helps are of less importance. But the truth is, without the less "showing" gifts such as administration and helps, leadership and wisdom can not stand. Although we all desire the gifts that are more ostentatious, but Paul reminded us that all gifts are important in the body of the church. Paul gave a great illustration of this in 1 Corinthians 12:12-20. He compared the church to a body, and he referred each member of the church as each body part. This is an interesting comparison because there are no body parts that's useless. Even the smallest organ in the body, the pineal gland, has a very important function. Although it's only the size of a grain of rice, it modulate our sleep and wake cycle. Even something as seemingly unimportant as the fifth toe, it is the most important toe for balance. In this sense, there is not one person with one gift that is not important in the body of Christ.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12

Now, since each one of us have been blessed with gifts, what are we called to do with our gifts? Jesus made it very clear what He expect us to do with our gifts, He gave us a parable regarding this (Matthew 25:14-28). The parable was of a rich man leaving on a journey. Before he left, he entrusted his possessions to his three servants. When he returned, he asked his servants what they did with what they've been given. Two of the servants used the money and double it. The master was very happy with these servants. One of the servant hid the money in the ground and didn't gain anything out of it. The master was upset with the third servant and he took away what he had and threw him out. Similarly, God gave each one of us gifts and He expect us to use these gifts. We are called to be light of the world. Jesus reminds us that the light is useless if it's under a cover. Thus, we shouldn't be hiding our gifts, instead, we should utilize them for the work of God.  

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before men, that they may see you good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16

Let's not let our gifts go to waste, let us use what we've been given for the glory of God. Remember, each one of us is a crucial part of the body of Christ; if that fifth toe is so important for balance, so are we for the work of God. Now the question is, are you willing?