What Does the Bible Say About Calling?Muestra

Consider Your Skills and Gifts

The second consideration is your skills and gifts. The Bible says that God gives people gifts for accomplishing the work he wants them to do, and it names some of the gifts and skills that God imparts. These include farming, craftsmanship, teaching, leadership, giving, wisdom, miracles, etc.

When Paul discusses the gifts of the Spirit, he is usually referring to their use in the church. But if all work done by Christians is done for the Lord, then we can infer that the Spirit’s gifts are also given for use in the workplace, family life, friendships, recreation, volunteering and the whole breadth of life’s activities. Gifts and skills therefore provide an element of guidance for discerning God’s guidance.

A number of tools have been developed to help people discern their gifts and make use of them in workplace settings. However, it is easy to pay too much attention to your skills and gifts. The penchant for analysis can lead to self-absorption, crowding out attention to the needs of the world. These passages say that God gives gifts for the common good, not personal satisfaction. In addition, God sometimes gives gifts only after you take the job in which you’ll need them. Paying too much attention to the gifts you already have can keep you from receiving the gifts God wants to give you.

Nonetheless, the gifts you already have may give you some indication about how to best meet the needs of the world.

Video

Watch the short video “How Important Is It to Know Your Gifts?” with building contractor Kimberly Renner.

Reflection Questions

What are the tasks and activities that energize you? What gifts have you or others recognized in you? Have others mentioned benefitting from your gifts? What are gifts or skills you’d like to grow in? Spend time in thought, and consider how you might use your gifts to serve others.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for the gifts and skills you have given me. I pray for opportunities to develop and grow in these gifts, as well as use them for your glory. Amen.