Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIVUK
Light is such a remarkable thing. Normally it streams in through our windows and we think nothing of it. But if it strikes glass or water at the correct angle, all of a sudden you have a delightful spectrum of colour – a rainbow.
The different reactions of light as it passes through various surfaces are things we can experiment with, but are quite aware of. We may even know they are there, but not really appreciate them.
However, what Paul is saying is that the Holy Spirit works in the same way. He streams into our life, strikes our natural abilities, our experiences and our personality and manifests Himself through them like light bouncing off a mirror or passing through glass or water.
In other words, as well as Christ’s victory over the grave, the Holy Spirit’s work also provides us with a multiplicity of varied gifts to and abilities to support and strengthen the church.
Paul then goes on to list several practical gifts that carry out this function:
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith – although he also successfully argues earlier in Ephesians that this us needed to be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9), so this must be a kind of ‘Faith beyond the ordinary'
Healing
Miraculous powers
Prophecy
Discernment between spirits
Speaking in tongues
Interpretation of tongues
I also don’t believe this list is exclusive, because elsewhere in 1 Corinthians 12 we see these gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28-31):
Miracles
Helping
Guidance
Speaking in tongues
And in Ephesians we see this list, which clearly lists those who have a didactic position in the church:
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
Ephesians 4:11 NIVUK
Yet I still don’t believe that we have a complete list of the gifts the Spirit brings to the church.
There are other gifts clearly exercised now that are not mentioned in the Bible because they did not exist in the same way, such as those gifted with modern musical instruments, those with technical gifts, counsellors, psychologists, business people, sales people, those gifted in the service industries, caterers, managers, administrators, accountants, financial advisers, plumbers, electricians, heating engineers, architects, those gifted in children's ministry, student ministry, working with adults and senior citizens, those with presentation and communication skills.
Need I go on?
The definition of a spiritual gift is not that it is listed in the Bible. No, it’s a gift that is given by the Spirit to make disciples through church.
The problem is that the church often doesn’t see skills as necessary within the church.
And I know precisely how that feels.
I came back from with an acquired sharpening of a natural skill in foreign languages – I spoke fluent Romanian. I had considerable experience in speaking in churches, youth meetings and conferences. I had picked up technical skills. I had been a team leader.
So I was deployed in Sunday School.
It was the only place that could be found for me.
I had skills and abilities. But no-one had the foresight to find a place for them within the church.
Of course, it’s different now. I have a place on the technical team that helps produce the services every Sunday. And my presentation skills are used in creating Kids Talks for our children.
But not everyone is so blessed.
There are people who come to every church who have skills, abilities, ideas, gifting, experience. If we look at these and determine that some of them are ‘spiritual gifts’, so therefore of use in the church, and ‘secular’, so therefore not, then we are essentially telling people ‘We like your face, but we're not so keen on your feet, and your lower intestine we could take or leave, so if you wouldn’t mind leaving them at home on a Sunday morning and just bringing your face to church, that would be great.’
Totally absurd, right?
We are essentially telling people that the gifts God has given them for them to use to bless and strengthen the church are not welcome in the church.
That is equally absurd.
But what about commercial abilities?
We are fine with administrators and accountants and bookkeepers and lawyers and childcare assistants. We understand how they could be useful. And nowadays people with technical skills to work in sound, projection and broadcasting are highly sought-after.
What about sales people? Well, didn’t Billy Graham get his preaching style from a previous career as a door-to-door salesman? Could that not have contributed to his success as one of the greatest evangelists the world has ever known?
What about staff with experience in customer service? Could they not ensure that our stewarding staff provide friendly faces when people come in?
What about process managers and analysts and consultants? Churches have processes too. They could help ensure that these processes are documented, understood and followed, ensuring that church decisions are fair and transparent.
What about management consultants? Could they not assist the leadership of the church to better influence their congregation to follow God?
What about advertising executives? Could they not help publicise what the church is doing and encourage people to come?
What about event organisers? Could they not be the go-to people to help organise volunteers to staff church events?
There is a wholly unnecessary barrier that we have artificially erected between the secular and the sacred. There is this mistaken belief that if we use a skill to generate income and provide for ourselves and our families, then somehow this skill is ‘dirty’ and can’t be used for God.
That is nonsense.
Provided the skill and the gift we have is used legally and ethically, there is no reason at all why it can’t be used in the service of God in the church.
In fact, I would go further and say that God has provided us with people who have these skills so that they can be used in the church.
And in Galatians we see how these gifts should be put into practice:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:22-26 NIVUK
Imagine you’ve identified that someone has a very specific need. Their birthday is coming up, and so you come up with the brilliant idea of getting them the very thing they need for their birthday. So you search in shops and online and, at no little expense, you find them the very thing they need. You take it home, you gift-wrap it beautifully and you give it to them for their birthday.
At first they’re happy and react with enthusiasm that you could have been so observant and thoughtful as to meet their need in such a wonderful way.
But weeks later, when you visit them, you notice that they haven’t used your expensive gift. It’s still in its box, taped up tight, just as it was when you bought it.
How would that make you feel?
God has equipped the church with everything it needs to be successful. I firmly believe it. All the resources are there. And He did it at great cost by sending His Son to earth to die for our sins and to win the battle over death and hell.
He’s liberally lavished on us through His Spirit all the gifts and abilities we need.
Isn’t it time we used them for His glory?
Questions
How is the Holy Spirit manifested in your life? What gifts do you have?
Have you thought that the gifts you use to provide for yourself and your family could also be used for God?
Can you identify an area of service in the church where your gifts and abilities could be used?
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