Are You Using the Gifts God Has Given You?

Thinking about Romans 12:6-8.

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Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)

After warning the Christians in Rome not to think too highly of their role in the body of Christ, he then urges them to use the gifts they had been given.

“Let Us Use Them.”

If you look back up to Romans 12:3, you’ll notice that Paul refers to his apostleship as “the grace given to me.” His role in Christ as an apostle of Jesus Christ was something that had been graciously given to him.

While the Christians in Rome had different gifts, they were all “according to the grace that is given to us” (Romans 12:6). Since God had so graciously given them these gifts, they needed to use them in God’s service (Matthew 25:14-30).

Different Gifts and Different Roles.

In this section of Romans, Paul mentions seven different gifts.

These seven different gifts broadly summarize the work of the Lord’s church. The seven gifts Paul mentions are:

• Prophecy.

• Ministry.

• Teaching.

• Exhortation.

• Giving.

• Leading.

• Showing Mercy.

Prophecy.

During the first century, miraculous spiritual gifts existed among Christians (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Prophecy was one of those gifts (1 Corinthians 12:10).

There came a time when miraculous spiritual gifts would cease - I believe when the New Testament was completely revealed and written down (1 Corinthians 13:8-13).

Prophecy can include miraculous foreknowledge given by God. It also includes proclaiming what God has already revealed to reprove, admonish, and/or comfort.

While divine inspiration and miraculous foreknowledge of future events have ceased today, preachers still proclaim the truth from what God has already revealed in His word. So prophecy would be similar to preaching today.

Ministry.

The word here for “ministry” simply means “service.” It’s the idea of someone who serves or waits upon others as a servant or attendant.

In the Lord’s church, there are many different ways for us to be “ministers” (servants) to others. With Jesus as our prime example (John 13:1-17), every Christian is called to be a “servant.”

While we all may not be able to serve in the same ways, we must all “have the mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5-8) - the mind of a servant.

Teaching.

While preaching is more the idea of “proclamation,” teaching is closer to the idea of “instruction.”

When I think of an example of teaching, my mind goes to when Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and “explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26).

The writer of Hebrews rebuked Christians who “ought to be teachers” but still needed to be taught the first principles again (Hebrews 5:12). They had not grown in the faith as they should have. It is a serious thing to teach God’s word to others (James 3:1).

Exhortation.

Exhortation is the idea of calling someone to come close to you so you can encourage them, admonish them to do better, comfort them, or strengthen them in some way.

Exhortation is a similar idea to “encouragement.” Some are great encouragers like Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37). Exhorters and encouragers have an important role in keeping the church moving in the right direction.

Giving.

Those who are wealthy have been blessed by God with those things. They need to use the blessings God has given them to do good, just as Paul reminded Timothy.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Christians who are especially successful financially have a wonderful opportunity to serve others by giving generously from what God has blessed them with.

Leading.

Those who meet God’s qualifications for church leadership (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) ought to use their abilities and gifts to lead God’s people with “diligence.”

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Those who lead the Lord’s flock have been given a gracious gift by God (Acts 20:28). The leading of the church should be done with eagerness and serious effort.

Showing Mercy.

The word for “showing mercy” is connected to the word “compassion.” Christians tend to be presented with many opportunities to help others.

Paul says this must be done with “cheerfulness.” This word includes our attitude in helping others, as well as promptly helping them.

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As Christians, we have different gifts that have been given to us. While there are still different roles in the church (1 Timothy 2:8-15), we all have various ways we can serve within our roles.

Christians must not think too highly of themselves and what they can do for the Lord. At the same time, we must USE the gifts that God has given us in His service.