“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
There are four lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament, as shown above. Peter has the shortest list: those who speak and those who serve. In other words, talkers and workers. In the three letters in which Paul teaches on spiritual gifts he is addressing a different audience with different needs. Ephesians 4, for example, is more about the primary leadership offices God has given to the church.
What is clear from the diversity of these lists is that there is not one definitive list – all of them are representative of the idea, not exhaustive. So the musicians out there who have never seen “worship” or “music” can rest easy – your gift is legitimate and valuable.
Throughout our Discover your Calling series we are encouraging everyone to take this free assessment from the KC Underground: Gift Passion Story. There are 155 questions and it will take you 30-45 minutes, but the time is well invested as it will help you discern your natural and spiritual gifts, the issues and people you are passionate about and it will help you begin to reflect on your story and the ministry for which the Lord has prepared you.
Peter reminds us that everything we have and are is a stewardship. God has entrusted us with minutes, days, relationships, abilities and resources. How will we use them? We kicked off the series with some sobering application of 1 Corinthians 3 and Matthew 25. If you missed the first one, be sure to at least watch the part with the squirt guns.
1 Peter 4 also teaches us that the gifts are not about us, but about God. We have to be careful not to draw attention to ourselves with our abilities, but to deflect all the credit back to the Lord who gave us everything to begin with.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
1 Corinthians 12 is a direct attack against jealousy and quarreling about whose gift is more important. Paul makes it clear that God gives the gifts, assigning them according to His wisdom and His plan. And the analogy of a body requires interdependence – each part in the body needs every other part. Romans 12 picks up on that theme as well, and feeds right into teaching on love, even as 1 Corinthians 12 comes before the great love chapter.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9-10
So the driving motivation with spiritual gifts, as with the entire Christian life, is love. So let’s not get hung up on the details and technicalities of gifts, passions and story. Let’s simply walk in love – “Stirring one another up to love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). The Lord will handle the details.