Spiritual gifts or “grace gifts” (the meaning of the Greek word) play a major part in the New Testament church. In fact you cannot picture a biblical church without the prominence of the gifts given to the church.

What should we know about the grace gifts?

First, the gifts are not hierarchical. While prophecy and teaching are found in each list of the gifts of the Spirit, they do not take precedence over the other gifts. From the lists of gifts in the New Testament, all seem to come from God and to be necessary for the the balance and functioning of the church.

Another way to say it is that there are no second-class citizens in the kingdom of God. The church at Corinth in particular had problems with spiritual gifts. Apparently, many church members lorded it over others because of the special gifts that they perceived themselves to have. Just as Jesus said that his followers should not lord it over one another, so the church must not allow the gifts to become a source of pride and discord.

Warren Wiersbe put it this way: “Spiritual gifts are tools to build with, not toys to play with or weapons to fight with. In the church at Corinth, the believers were tearing down the ministry because they were abusing spiritual gifts. They were using their gifts as ends in themselves and not as a means toward the end of building up the church. They so emphasized their spiritual gifts that they lost their spiritual graces! They had the gifts of the Spirit but were lacking in the fruit of the Spirit.”

Second, each believer has a gift (or gifts). What is surprising is not that every believer has a gift, but that most believers do not exercise their gifts in the ministry of Christ. Shouldn’t the church be appalled that the 80/20 rule  also applies to the church? In almost every area of life 20% of the people do 80% of the work. I encourage you to learn your gift and to use it for the glory of God.

Finally, spiritual gifts are given to glorify God and to build up the church.

Most biblical scholars believe that the three lists of gifts in the New Testament are not exhaustive. None of the three lists are the same, indicating that the gifts are given according to God’s plan and the church’s needs.

The real question for us must be: “Am I using my gifts for God’s work and the church’s good?”

Please find a place of service in God’s kingdom.

Don’t let the 80/20 rule characterize your life.

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