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Gifts That Keep on Giving from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

One of the greatest and most fulfilling things you can do is to be used by God to help others somehow. Jesus said, what you have done to the least of the brethren, you have done unto Me (Matthew 25:40). And even giving one of His followers a cup of cold water will bring you a reward (Matthew 10:42). 

Yet, we can do more than that, for God has distributed spiritual gifts throughout His church to build and strengthen the body of Christ. Learn to use what He has given you to help others. Each of us has been given something that can benefit His people. The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Corinthian church:

(1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV)  "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant"

Ignorant means "lacking knowledge or awareness." Some of the churches didn't know about spiritual gifts yet. Some didn't even know there was a Holy Spirit: 

(Acts 19:1–2 NKJV)  And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

They were ignorant then, and we can be today. The Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter is here with us today. Jesus told His disciples this when He was about to complete His mission on Earth and ascend to heaven:

(John 16:7 NKJV)  Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

The last words Jesus spoke on Earth were about the coming of the Holy Spirit. When He was leaving, He told the disciples who were with Him this:

(Acts 1:8–9 NKJV)  "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Jesus went up, and the Holy Spirit came down ten days later in Acts chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost:

(Acts 2:1–4 NKJV)  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, like a rushing mighty wind, filling the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

This had been prophesied by the prophet Joel nearly 800 years before:

(Joel 2:28–29 NKJV)  "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days."

"Those days" began in Acts chapter 2 and will continue until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the great and awesome day of the Lord (Acts 2:16, Joel 2:31). 

The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to each of us, and they are meant to be used to help others (Hebrews 2:4). Paul instructs us to desire them earnestly:

(1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV)  Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Paul gives four lists of spiritual gifts, but they are more like examples for us and not an exhaustive collection because each list differs. No two lists are exactly alike, and he mixes purely spiritual gifts like prophecy with more natural ones like administration (1 Corinthians 12:28). He lists acts of service and helping people. Exhortation, which is encouraging people. There are even people who have the gift of giving.

(Romans 12:6–8 ESV)  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

(1 Corinthians 12:7–11 NKJV)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

What do you enjoy doing for others? That is quite possibly your gift. We have a good friend that has been given the "ministry of helps" (1 Corinthians 12:28). He can't drive past someone with a flat tire without stopping to help them. 

Even when you feel you have somehow failed the Lord and He has withdrawn from you, He promises that He will never take away the gifts He gave us. He doesn't change His mind. 

(Romans 11:29 NKJV)  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

It is important that you learn to use the gifts He has given you to help others. And that you use them wherever you find yourself. In the book of Genesis, Joseph was given the gift of dream interpretation. His life took a downward spiral, and he ended up in prison, but he continued interpreting dreams for people. Pharaoh learned of this and summoned him to interpret a dream for him. He was so impressed with Joseph that he promoted him to second-in-command of Egypt. Using your spiritual gifts can be life-changing.

Once I was listening to the Bible and polishing brass plumbing parts at a buffing wheel for minimum wage when I suddenly felt oil being poured over my head. I spun around, thinking someone was pranking me, but no one was there. I received some type of technical gift that day. Soon I found myself in a computer business, which led to starting an online ministry.

Don't neglect the gifts the Lord has placed in your life. And don't let anyone deceive you into thinking they don't exist today. Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.

You can pray this with me if you like: 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me discover the spiritual gifts You have placed in my life to help the body of Christ. Your word instructs us to seek them, so I want them. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!