Spiritual Gifts: God Has Given You Something to Share

Have you ever wondered, “How can God use me?” You may notice someone who teaches confidently, someone who gladly serves behind the scenes, or someone who knows how to encourage a hurting friend.

God equips His people in different ways. Through the Holy Spirit, He gives spiritual gifts so that we can serve others and build up the body of Christ. You do not have to possess someone else’s gift to make a meaningful contribution. You can faithfully use what God has entrusted to you.

What Are Spiritual Gifts?

Spiritual gifts are abilities and expressions of God’s grace given by the Holy Spirit for the good of others. First Corinthians 12:7 explains that the Spirit’s work in each believer benefits the whole body. The Spirit distributes gifts according to His will
(1 Corinthians 12:11).

Paul compares the church to a human body. Eyes, hands, and feet have different functions, yet each belongs and each matters. Likewise, believers need one another’s gifts
(1 Corinthians 12:12–27).

Your gift is a responsibility to serve, and someone else’s gift is a reason to give thanks.

The main passages about spiritual gifts are

• Romans 12:6–8;
• 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28–30;
• Ephesians 4:11–13; and
• 1 Peter 4:9–11.

The following four groups offer a helpful way to organize them. These categories are a teaching aid; Scripture does not arrange all the gifts under these headings.

1. Gifts and Roles That Equip the Church

Ephesians 4 describes people Christ gives to equip believers for ministry:

• Apostles: Those sent with Christ’s commission. The original apostles had a foundational role in the church.
  — Ephesians 4:11; Ephesians 2:20
• Prophets: Those who communicate a message from God that must be tested and weighed.
  — Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 14:3, 29
• Evangelists: Those especially equipped to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ.
  — Ephesians 4:11
• Pastors and teachers: Those who shepherd believers and teach God’s Word.
  — Ephesians 4:11–13

2. Gifts That Communicate and Strengthen

• Teaching: Helping people understand and apply God’s truth.
  — Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28
• Encouragement or exhortation: Strengthening others and urging them to follow Christ faithfully.
  — Romans 12:8
• A message of wisdom: Communicating wisdom given through the Spirit.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:8
• A message of knowledge: Communicating knowledge given through the Spirit.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:8

3. Gifts That Express God’s Power

• Gifts of healing: Expressions of God’s healing power through the Spirit.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:9
• Working of miracles: Extraordinary works of God’s power.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:10
• Various kinds of tongues: Spirit-enabled speech in tongues.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:10
• Interpretation of tongues: Making a message in tongues understandable to others. — 1 Corinthians 12:10

Christians differ in how they understand the operation of some gifts today. Paul’s instructions emphasize love, discernment, order, and building up the church (1 Corinthians 14:1–5, 26–33).

4. Gifts That Serve and Care for Others

• Faith: A particular Spirit-given confidence in God.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:9
• Helps: Assisting others and supporting the church’s work.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:28
• Administration: Helping guide and organize the church’s work.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:28
• Service: Meeting practical needs.
  — Romans 12:7
• Giving: Sharing resources generously.
  — Romans 12:8
• Leadership: Guiding others with diligence.
  — Romans 12:8
• Mercy: Showing compassion to people who are suffering.
  — Romans 12:8
• Distinguishing between spirits: Discerning the spiritual source of a message or activity.
  — 1 Corinthians 12:10

Hospitality is also closely connected to this discussion. Peter calls believers to welcome others without complaining, then instructs them to use their gifts to serve one another (1 Peter 4:9–10). Hospitality is commanded here, though it is not explicitly named as a separate spiritual gift.

How Can You Discover Your Gifts?

Begin by serving. You do not need to identify every gift before you help someone.

Pray for guidance. Study these passages. Notice where your service helps others grow, and ask mature believers what they see in you. A MicroGroup can provide a setting where others recognize your strengths and encourage you to develop them.

A spiritual gifts questionnaire may prompt reflection, but your gifts become clearer through faithful service and the church’s affirmation. There are different ones online when you search and others can be downloaded and printed.

Use Your Gifts with Love

First Corinthians 13 places love at the center of the discussion about gifts. Remarkable abilities cannot replace love.

Galatians 5:22–23 also reminds us that the Spirit produces Christlike character.

Whatever your gift, you are still called to love, serve, give, and share your faith. Your particular gifting helps you contribute; it does not excuse you from other responsibilities.

God has given you something to share. Offer it humbly, develop it faithfully, and use it to help others follow Jesus.

For further study: Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 12–14; Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Peter 4:9–11.