Christian Discipleship Course 38.

Question and answer: “Are these gifts from the Holy Spirit as well?”

We can do nothing of eternal value without God, and any talents or gifts that we have come from Him in the first place, Deuteronomy 1:18, Jeremiah 1:5, Acts 17:28, Romans 15:10.

These natural gifts are God-given and they can be used to a greater effect within the Kingdom of God as the Holy Spirit leads or out of love for people. E.g. I don’t need to hear the Holy Spirit tell me to help my brother or a stranger out when I can see that he is in need and I have the means to help him, Matthew 7:12, 25:14-30, 1 John 3:16-17, James 1:22.

To help someone out should be a natural response to share the love of Christ.

Romans 12:6-8,13 ‘Having gifts differing according to the grace given to us, let us use them…(gift of) 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. Distributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality’. 1 Corinthians 12: 28 ‘God has appointed these in the church…helps, administrations, varieties of tongues’.

Wisdom: It is sin to know what to do, and not to do it James 4:17.

We should use our gifts and talents for the glory of God. Some people are gifted at making money. They have been given this gift so they can give large amounts of money to God’s Kingdom. Others are talented with music/singing and can help in worship, or can help others to learn how to play an instrument. Others are gifted in administration, writing letters, filing accounts, handling money etc. Some people are gifted mechanically or are very practical in problem solving. Other people ooze with love and have the ability to look after elderly people, disabled children etc. Some people can teach, others are good encouragers and some are given to hospitality. The list is endless 1 Corinthians 12:14-27.

Fact: Do you want to live as a Christian who waits for heaven, or as a disciple who lives for God’s will, and enters heaven with “Well done my good and faithful servant”? A disciple also collects a crown and rewards, 2 Timothy 1:9, 4:8, Matthew 10:37-42, 25:23, Luke 19:12-27, Revelation 3:11.

Think: Am I using my God given talents/gifts to glorify Him?

More Info: Exodus 28:3, 31:6, 35:26,31-34, 36:5-7, Deut 28:2-8,11,12, 1 Chronicles 28:19, Nehemiah Ch 3, 4:6, 6:15,16, Proverbs 11:18, 25:21,22, Haggai 1:14, Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 6:38, 16:10, Romans 15:15, 1 Corinthians 9:16-18, 10:31, 15;10, 2 Cor. 9:8, Col. 3:23,24, 1 Thess. 2:11, 3:12, 5:14, 1 Tim. 3:2-3, 1 Pet. 4:9, 5:4, Rev. 22:10.