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It's MY Gift and I'm NOT Giving it Away!



The big question

What do you love to do? If you had your choice to wake up--assuming sleeping isn't your favorite-- and do something every day, what would it be?




What gets you fired up?
What do you dream about?
What do you spend your money on?
What makes you the most happy when you are doing it?
What are you good at?





Desires of your heart


In Psalm 37:4 it says this, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart".
Assuming that delighting yourself in the Lord is your highest priority as a believer, what are the desires of your heart? What is your passion? These righteous passions are given to you by God.

Follow your heart? but, but--cue the Hallmark music!

We all have certain "gifts". Spiritual gifts. God has given you these desires and passions--gifts. There is one catch though--these gifts aren't for you. He provides you with these gifts so that you may give them away for Him. You are only the mailman. Sorry, it's true. When you don't use your gift for others, you are like a mailman stealing the mail.


If you don't use them, you are not providing for the, "common good" of the church. Because of this, don't underestimate the value of your gift---it is needed to complete the whole. Don't overestimate your gift though---you're just one part of the whole.

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good".

What are the gifts?

The bible lists some gifts in various locations, but these lists are far from exhaustive. For example, one gift is the gift of service. That is so general, while one might have this gift, they might serve in any of a variety of ways. Some common other ones are pastor, teacher, prophet, musician, servant, administrator, leader, encourager, being merciful, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, giving, discerning the spirits, tongues, evangelism, hospitality, etc, etc, etc.

But how do I know?

Usually everybody else knows what your gift/gifts are before you. What about you? What do you long to do? What would you do for free? For me, I love to teach. To others, they think teaching is hell on earth. Some have the gift of mercy--I don't--just ask my friends. We can have many different gifts and they can vary in strength and be developed as you mature. If you are curious, take an online spiritual gifts test--it'll probably just tell you what you already know though.


Don't be stingy

If you consciously seek to understand your gifts, you will be of more use to the body of Christ, because, once again, your gifts aren't for you, they are for use within the body. Your gifts are to be held by you and given to others at the appropriate time. Don't be a thief--bless others with what God has given you.









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