Food 4 Thought: Spiritual Gifts
May: Spiritual Gifts | April: Sacrifice | March: Leadership
Each month the Men's Department of Holiness Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ has been given a theme to meditate on and the Food 4 Thought section will focus on each monthly theme. We believe that our responsibility is to Provide, Protect, Prevent and Procreate and the Food 4 Thought section will consist of articles that will encourage you to think, encourage you to grow, encourage you to act and encourage each man to be productive members of the Church and society.
Spiritual Gifts
Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12
As I continue my mission to read the Bible in 90 days, I’m in awe of how God took the natural gifts of men and women and used these talents for the benefit of His kingdom. Proverbs 18:16 tells us “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Our gifts (or talents) not only open doors and opportunities for us to excel in the natural, but they also allow us to benefit the kingdom of God. Joshua was a skilled warrior and God used his gift to help the children of Israel to enter into the promised land. David was a gifted musician, and God used this talent to put him before the king to bless Israel. Peter was a fisherman by trade and God used this gift to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Jews.
The dictionary provides these definitions for talent:
- A special natural ability or aptitude
- A capacity for achievement or success
- Natural endowment
Each of us has been blessed with a gift or talent that God uses to help us prosper, support our families, excel in industry and rise above the rest. We must note that God has not given us gifts to use only for our benefit, but our gifts should also be used “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). Amazingly, almost all of us have a talent that God has ONLY given to us and we fit together like a puzzle. A puzzle has many pieces, but when put together, it makes one masterpiece. Paul reminds the church in Rome that “we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office” (Romans 12:4). The key is to find the gift(s), nourish the gift(s), and use the gift(s).
No talent is too small. You don’t have to be behind the pulpit to make a difference, but all of our talents are difference makers when it comes to kingdom work. If you are creative, the church secretary could use your help designing graphics and programs. If you like technology, the audio-visual ministry could use your help during services. If you can sing like a bird, the music ministry can always use more voices to make a joyful noise. If you like to build and plant, the beautification team could use a hand with the upkeep of the church. If you like to work with children, the youth ministry could always use more volunteers. If you like to bake or cook, the hospitality team would love more assistance.
What role can you play to make this puzzle complete?
Without you, we are incomplete. With you, we are successful because we are one.