But in the New Testament after Our Lord had ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit had descended on His followers, they were given gifts by the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks of these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. They are: the word of wisdom; the word of knowledge; faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, teaching, discerning of spirits, tongues and the interpretation of tongues, help and government.
Now most of us may say we don't know what our spiritual gifts are. I would confess that I may be a bit hazy about my gifts as well, although I believe I do have the gift of teaching, which was my first source of employment. But Paul is not speaking here about what we do as a living, but what we do to edify the body of Christ.
God has equipped each one of us with some special gift or ability that we can use to benefit not just the body of Christ, but to lift up His Name. Not everyone can teach Sunday School, or fix the plumbing or the electricity, but each of us has something we are good at, and we can use it in the service of the church. In verse 14 of the same chapter Paul says, "For the body is not one member, but many."
In other words, we should not expect the pastor or one person to do everything. Whatever God has blessed you with use it to bring Him glory. Can you sing, then sing to His glory. Can you dance, dance in His Name. Can you arrange flowers or make beautiful artwork? Whatever you can do, do it to glorify Him.
I cannot speak in front of a large congregation and I cannot prophesy. But He has blessed me with the gift of writing and I use it in the service of my church and in my other writings to bring Him honor and glory. And for that I'm thankful.
