Notice I used lowercase letters.
The Spiritual Gifts in 1
Corinthians 14 are different from the
spiritual gifts in Romans 12.
Anyway...
Romans 12:4-9
4 For as we have many members in one body,
and all members have not the
same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ,
and every one members one
of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according
to the grace that is given to
us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy
according to the proportion of
faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering:
or he that teacheth, on
teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation:
he that giveth, let him do it
with simplicity; he that ruleth, with
diligence; he that sheweth mercy,
with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor
that which is evil; cleave
to that which is good.
We all have talents that God has given
us. Some areas are defined in
Romans 12 here in the passage. (Most of
these are pretty
self-explanatory)
Prophecy – Preaching the Bible. In this
context, it’s not talking
about the Spiritual Gift described in
I Corinthians 14 and elsewhere.
What if a preacher gave his message without
faith? It would not be DA
bomb but would just BOMB! People often
end up unsure and wavering if a
faithless message is presented.
Ministry – (service) Helping others out
in emotional or spiritual
measures.
Teaching – Doctrine-based (didactic) teaching.
Exhortation – Encouraging others, urging
them to continue.
Giving – Um…to give? It commands to give
with simplicity – meaning
here (aploteti) – Liberally or bountifully,
with an aspect of
faithfulness.
Ruling – Leadership positions, which are
really positions of servanthood.
Mercy – Showing mercy to others, and not
with anger in your heart, but
cheerfulness. Good jobs/privileges for
people mainly gifted in this
area are visiting homeless, praying for
others, and giving to the poor
(although praying is a privilege and duty
for EVERY Christian).
Here’s a cool thing I found online:
http://mintools.com/spiritual-gifts-test.htm
Heh, I took it. My main three areas (got
15’s) were Prophecy,
Teaching, and Exhortation. Sounds
like what
I’m doing at this computer right now!
Anyway, I am a strong believer that God
gifts us in as many of these
areas as He wants to. If you don’t have
a super duper talent in one
area yet, maybe through trials and experience,
God will develop that in you. Who
knows? Hey, I guess God does! :)
Have a great day! May the Lord RICHLY Bless
you (as He wants to bless
you ENORMOUSLY)!