Day 89 - We Serve to Utilize Our Gifts

Ruby Washington

“For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.” - Romans 12:4-5 NASB

We have each been given gifts that differ from one another according to the grace given to us (Romans 12:6). We have been given these gifts to edify the church. Paul gives the illustration of one body with many parts. Everyone has something to contribute to the advancement of the kingdom. That includes you. Paul says we are to use these gifts properly. I’d imagine that not using a gift is also not a proper use of your gifts. Some of you have avoided serving because you don’t think that you are as gifted as someone else. This thought pattern leads to a path of destruction and is a trick of the enemy. I love this illustration of a body because it helps to put things in perspective. Sure, I can live without a toe, but no one is volunteering to go without one. You’d much rather have it as opposed to not having one. This missing toe would affect your stride and have some effect on your mobility. The mobility of your local church is affected by your utilization of your gifts or the lack thereof. Another possible hindrance to serving can be obsessing over what your gifts are before you do anything. Not knowing your exact gifts are not a reason to be dormant. Sometimes it takes you doing something to know that you’re gifted in it. Start by loving people in your day to day life and intentionally loving people in your local church. Intentional love is active. It’s going to lead you to do something.

1 Corinthians 12 says that our gifts have been given by the same Spirit and the same God empowers them in everyone. God gives us these gifts as He wills. Paul uses the analogy of the body again. He goes on to say that one body part cannot say to another that it has no need. He also says that if one part suffers, all parts suffer. God is good and He has given you good gifts which, if used properly, will edify the Church at large and your local church. In our love for God and in gratitude for what He has given us, we serve to utilize our gifts.

Next Steps

  • Think about it: Has looking at the gifts of others caused you to not use your gifts?

  • Think about it: How are you using your gifts in the local church?

  • Action Step: Encourage someone today by thanking them for using their gifts to glorify God.