Talent...

[Guest LadyC]

my talents.... writing, web design, and sticking my foot in my mouth

[Brianna Nikki]

There are similarities and differences between talents and spiritual gifts. Both are gifts from God. Both grow in effectiveness with use. Both are intended to be used on behalf of others, not for selfish purposes. 1 Corinthians 12:7 states that spiritual gifts are given to benefit others...not one's self. As the two great commandments deal with loving God and others, it follows that one should use his talents for that purpose. But talents and spiritual gifts differ in whom they are given to and when. A person (regardless of his belief in God or in Christ) is given a natural talent as a result of a combination of genetics (some have natural ability in music, art, or mathematics) and surroundings (growing up in a musical family will aid one in developing a talent for music), or because God desired to endow certain individuals with certain talents (for example, Bazeleel in Exodus 31:1-6). Spiritual gifts are given to believers by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:3, 6) at the time of their placing their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. At that time the Holy Spirit gives to the new believer the spiritual gift(s) He desires the believer to have (1 Corinthians 12:11). There are three main lists of spiritual gifts...

Romans 12:3-8 lists the spiritual gifts as follows: prophecy, serving others (in a general sense), teaching, exhorting, generosity, leadership, and showing mercy. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 lists the gifts as: the word of wisdom (ability to communicate spiritual wisdom), the word of knowledge (ability to communicate practical truth), faith (unusual reliance upon God), the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues (ability to speak in a language that one has not studied), and interpretation of tongues. The third list is found in Ephesians 4:10-12, which speaks of God giving to His church apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. There is also a question as to how many spiritual gifts there are, as no two lists are the same. It is also possible that the Biblical lists are not exhaustive, that there are additional spiritual gifts beyond the ones the Bible mentions.

While often one may develop his talents and later direct his profession or hobby along those lines, spiritual gifts were given by the Holy Spirit for the building up of Christ's church. In that, all Christians are to play an active part in the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. All are called and equipped to be involved in the "work of the ministry" (Ephesians 4:12). All are gifted so that they can contribute to the cause of Christ out of gratitude for all He has done for them. In doing so, they also find fulfillment in life through their labor for Christ. It is the job of the church leaders to help build up the saints so they can be further equipped for the ministry that God has called them to. The intended result of spiritual gifts is that the church as a whole can grow, being strengthened by the combined supply of each and every member of Christ's body.

Shalom JamiLea,

Great post. Did you write this or did you find it some place?

I came up with it myself.

[Brianna Nikki]

There are similarities and differences between talents and spiritual gifts. Both are gifts from God. Both grow in effectiveness with use. Both are intended to be used on behalf of others, not for selfish purposes. 1 Corinthians 12:7 states that spiritual gifts are given to benefit others...not one's self. As the two great commandments deal with loving God and others, it follows that one should use his talents for that purpose. But talents and spiritual gifts differ in whom they are given to and when. A person (regardless of his belief in God or in Christ) is given a natural talent as a result of a combination of genetics (some have natural ability in music, art, or mathematics) and surroundings (growing up in a musical family will aid one in developing a talent for music), or because God desired to endow certain individuals with certain talents (for example, Bazeleel in Exodus 31:1-6). Spiritual gifts are given to believers by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:3, 6) at the time of their placing their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. At that time the Holy Spirit gives to the new believer the spiritual gift(s) He desires the believer to have (1 Corinthians 12:11). There are three main lists of spiritual gifts...

Romans 12:3-8 lists the spiritual gifts as follows: prophecy, serving others (in a general sense), teaching, exhorting, generosity, leadership, and showing mercy. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 lists the gifts as: the word of wisdom (ability to communicate spiritual wisdom), the word of knowledge (ability to communicate practical truth), faith (unusual reliance upon God), the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues (ability to speak in a language that one has not studied), and interpretation of tongues. The third list is found in Ephesians 4:10-12, which speaks of God giving to His church apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. There is also a question as to how many spiritual gifts there are, as no two lists are the same. It is also possible that the Biblical lists are not exhaustive, that there are additional spiritual gifts beyond the ones the Bible mentions.

While often one may develop his talents and later direct his profession or hobby along those lines, spiritual gifts were given by the Holy Spirit for the building up of Christ's church. In that, all Christians are to play an active part in the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. All are called and equipped to be involved in the "work of the ministry" (Ephesians 4:12). All are gifted so that they can contribute to the cause of Christ out of gratitude for all He has done for them. In doing so, they also find fulfillment in life through their labor for Christ. It is the job of the church leaders to help build up the saints so they can be further equipped for the ministry that God has called them to. The intended result of spiritual gifts is that the church as a whole can grow, being strengthened by the combined supply of each and every member of Christ's body.

Shalom JamiLea,

Great post. Did you write this or did you find it some place?

To be honest with you sister, I found it somewhere, but I believe it as it matches up with Scripture. I just learned this a few weeks ago when trying to make a career decision so I thought I'd share it. I suppose I should've quoted it from a source. Sorry brothers and sisters

It's ok. no one is perfect...accept God, of course.

[Brianna Nikki]

my talents.... writing, web design, and sticking my foot in my mouth

Lol!

[MeCajunboy]

It's true everyone has some sort of talent. Some people will discover it sooner than others. For instance my mom didn't see her talents until she was in college, but for me, I already know a talent that I have. I can change my voice to different accents and sounds. Have you discovered yours, yet?

Yes ma'am, Dancing! Unfortunately, I did not utilize it to the potential that many believed I could have. Back when I was growing up it wasn't the "acceptable thing" to do, as so many other talents. We've since gotten past those and have learned to appreciate the many talents/gifts that God has blessed us with. I know for me, for many years I was able to entertain crowds of people with my dancing skills that I honed and perfected myself. The only problem it may present is the many "ladies," young and old that may require you to dance with them and that can be a problem if you have a girlfriend or lady who wants you all for herself. Fortunately, for me my girl was very confident and didn't mind me "cutting the rug" with the others. I've had the opportunity to work with very talented ladies, "Dancing that is!" lolol

[Brianna Nikki]

It's true everyone has some sort of talent. Some people will discover it sooner than others. For instance my mom didn't see her talents until she was in college, but for me, I already know a talent that I have. I can change my voice to different accents and sounds. Have you discovered yours, yet?

Yes ma'am, Dancing! Unfortunately, I did not utilize it to the potential that many believed I could have. Back when I was growing up it wasn't the "acceptable thing" to do, as so many other talents. We've since gotten past those and have learned to appreciate the many talents/gifts that God has blessed us with. I know for me, for many years I was able to entertain crowds of people with my dancing skills that I honed and perfected myself. The only problem it may present is the many "ladies," young and old that may require you to dance with them and that can be a problem if you have a girlfriend or lady who wants you all for herself. Fortunately, for me my girl was very confident and didn't mind me "cutting the rug" with the others. I've had the opportunity to work with very talented ladies, "Dancing that is!" lolol

Nice!