Last time we talked more on talents, and before we get to compare and contrast talents and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, let us talk about the gifts!
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We can simply define gifts as something given without expecting payments. When we talk of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are not paying to get them.
The bible says that in the book of 1 Corinthians 12:11 "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." NIV. The Holy Spirit gives the gifts as He pleases.
The God gives not just for no reason but He has a predetermined purpose and a plan of what He gives.
We read from Ephesians 4:10-13
"He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." NIV
We can see that verse twelve explains to us why are we given what we are given. The gifts and ministries that God give us are for the church. The church is supposed to be perfected to reach the standards of Christ and we are not yet there and so God wants to use His people, the church so as the church can be perfected!
From the book of Rom 12:3-8 the bible says "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." NIV
Unlike talents, not everyone have these gifts, they are only found in believers. The people who have agreed to give their lives to Jesus Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit.
In the next session we are going to see in deep on the differences of the two, so keep in touch.
to be continued...
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