Are You Gifted by the Spirit?

Often, when we think of the gifts of the Spirit, our attention turns to Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. In doing so, we leave a lot of people wondering whether God passed them by when He was distributing those abilities. That’s because a lot of the gifts listed seem to only apply to church life. But that’s only one day out of the week for most of us. Are we not gifted by the Spirit of God for the other six days of our week?

A very encouraging and insightful set of verses is contained in the Lord’s directions to Moses after He gave him very detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you.’” (Exodus 31:1–6)

What stands out is that Bezalel’s multiple skills and knowledge were the result of being “filled with the Spirit of God.” Here was a man who worked in the skilled trades, his interests and abilities were gifts of the Spirit. Have you considered that your ability to work with numbers, or to make sales, or to run a lathe, or to build houses, or whatever it is that you do for your job, is because the Spirit of God has gifted you?

Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians are true. When we come to know Jesus, like a stonemason fitting us tightly among other stones, the Spirit of God equips us to fit exactly into the body of Christ. “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5). God wants to use you when the church gathers together. But the rest of your week is also a time to serve others through your skills and knowledge.

We have done our people a major disservice by dividing life into two categories, the sacred and the secular. It implies that religious activity is sacred, while the majority of one’s life is secular. For the Christ-follower, every day is sacred. When you look at the New Testament lists of spiritual gifts, many of them find application in church life.

But when you include these verses from the Old Testament, you see that every part of the Christ-follower’s life is sacred. You and I can dedicate every aspect of our work and play and church participation as an act of worship. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Yes, the Spirit of God has gifted you (in more ways than you realize).