“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 16:7)
My husband and I were instructed to bring a gift for our small group’s white elephant exchange. In case you’re wondering, a white elephant gift exchange means you bring something from your home that you no longer need or use.
The night before the party, I asked my husband to see if he could find a gift. He went down into the basement, and only minutes later, came upstairs with his contribution. It was a croquet set that we had received several years ago but never used. For many years the game had been hidden away in our basement, still neatly wrapped in its original package, waiting to be used by our family.
Do you have unused “gifts” lying around?
Romans 12:6 explains that “we have different gifts (spiritual), according to the grace given us,” unfortunately sometimes our spiritual gifts never get used – at least not in the way they were intended. Spiritual gifts are intended to build the kingdom of God. This is why we’re admonished in 1 Peter 4:10 to “use whatever gift [we have] received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
Perhaps you’re unsure of what your spiritual gifts are, or you simply don’t know how to use them for God’s glory. If this is the case, ask God to enlighten you. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
You also might find it helpful to take a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. These online tests can help us identify our strengths so that we can hone and cultivate our gifts for building God’s Kingdom.
Don’t let another day go by without using your spiritual gift. Like the croquet set my husband found in our basement, it would be a waste to keep your gift tucked away, never to be used.
Discover your gift from God and then use it for His glory.
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)