Use Your Gift

In the human body, the specialized function of each of the parts contributes to the general well-being of the whole. The heart pumps blood, the lungs mix in air, the stomach and intestines digest food, and so forth. Each body part has its own task that only it can do; in many cases, if it fails to perform that task, the whole body suffers. And it is the same in the body of Christ, as Paul made clear in the verses we studied yesterday. Each Christian has at least one spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7) that equips him or her to perform a vital function in the body, which is the church. The church needs all believers to do their part, and all believers need one another to exercise their roles. This is the reason for Paul’s simple exhortation in verse 6—if you have a spiritual gift (and all Christians do), use it!

The Greek word here translated “gifts” is charismata. Dr. James M. Boice points out that it literally means “a grace gift,” which is why Paul speaks of “gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.” God gifts His people just as He pleases, bestowing many on some and few on others, some spectacular and some that go unnoticed. But all are vital for the church and are to be exercised.

Paul is not trying to give an exhaustive list of gifts in this passage or in the others in which he treats the subject. This list is representative, probably consisting of common gifts of his time that he mentions simply to illustrate his point. The first is prophecy, which involved speaking the words of God under the Holy Spirit’s influence (this gift has ceased since the completion of the canon of Scripture). Interestingly, Paul adds that those with this gift should “prophesy in proportion to our faith.” This may mean that the prophet should teach only what is in accord with the Christian faith or that he should say no more than what God has told him to say. Other gifts Paul mentions here are ministry (probably diaconal service); teaching; exhorting (or encouraging); giving (which is to be done with liberality); leading (probably administrative leadership, which requires diligence); and showing mercy (which is to be done cheerfully, not begrudgingly).

The point the apostle is making is that gifts are not given to the recipient for the recipient. They are to be passed on. Every believer is to put his or her gifts to use for the good of the church.