For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. ~Romans 12:4-8 NIV
The Bible tells us that each of us is created in the image of God and with specific purposes for contributing to his kingdom here on earth. We were created uniquely and with our own “supply” of talents and abilities that we were given to bring glory to God and to share the message of the Gospel.
That’s great, you say. Talents and abilities… just one more of those mysteries of the Bible, you say, because you don’t have a clue as to what yours are.
But it’s not a mystery. And even though you might not think so, you do have at least some idea of what yours are. Think about it:
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What makes you feel accomplished or at ease?
- What activities do you gravitate towards when you have free time?
- What character traits are you complimented on?
- What do people say they like or admire about you?
- What ministries or volunteer opportunities pique your interest and make you feel good about doing?
- Which ones make you nervous and uptight?
- What activities or responsibilities do you find unenjoyable and stressful?
The things you enjoy doing, are good at, and make you feel accomplished and fulfilled—these are your God-given talents and abilities. No, they aren’t all what some might consider to be ministry-related talents, but that’s only because we might be guilty of putting ministry in a box.
I know a couple that lives within a couple of miles of a major medical facility. This couple willingly and regularly opens their home to out-of-town family members of patients as a place to take a nap, enjoy a hot shower, and relax with a cup of coffee that isn’t from the hospital cafeteria.
So remember… no matter what your talents and abilities, they can be used to bring God glory and to share the message of the Gospel.
Are you a sought-after handyman? Make yourself available to the elderly in your church, and fix things that need fixing at the church.
Do you enjoy sewing or other handiwork? Offer to teach the younger girls and women basic skills. Or alter repair clothing for nursing home patients, or families in need.
Photography skills can come in handy for taking family photos, creating a church directory, or capturing moments of special church events and programs.
Cooking skills can help families needing help with meals, to welcome visitors and newcomers in your church, or to provide snacks for youth group events.
Tutoring for little or no charge is something many families could benefit from without putting a dent in their budget they really can’t afford.
Money-management skills are something numerous couples and families have benefitted from when given by someone with a Christian perspective.
Childcare, eldercare, a love for art, reading, or crafts can all be shared with your church family.
Lawn care, landscaping, gardening skills, and homemaking skills are all valuable and definitely fall under the “category” of women teaching/mentoring women to be Godly wives and mothers.
Simply preparing classroom materials and activities for those who teach is a HUGELY important ministry that no teacher underestimates the value of.
Praying on behalf of others, opening your home to those in need… it’s all ministry.
I said it once (or twice), but I’ll say it again because it is worth repeating… no matter what your talents and abilities, they can be used to bring God glory and to share the message of the Gospel.
~ By Darla Noble
Related posts
- 7 Talents You Could Contribute To Your Church
- 10 Ways to Serve God Every Day
- How God Uses Ordinary People to Do His Work
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Comments(35)
Samarpan Thorat says
May 8, 2017 at 4:11 amvery nice message.
God bless you.
Diane says
June 19, 2017 at 12:54 pmThank you so much for all of your very anointed and helpful messages. May God bless all of you and your families always! <3
Flo says
July 8, 2017 at 11:03 amThank you. Clear, concise and to the point.
Joe says
March 3, 2018 at 7:00 pmAmen
Ernest Agbeshie says
March 30, 2018 at 3:27 amI’ve been searching and searching to find what exactly my God given talent because I look empty as though I was born without talent. However, with what I’ve just read , am not empty, I can’t say I was born without talent. I remember many years ago I was tag with name,”Jack of all trades, master of none ” it shows that I can do soo many minor things. Thanks for putting this on the internet
Mark p says
June 13, 2021 at 1:27 pmWhat does it mean or say about the things that make you uptight or stressed
Jesse says
October 3, 2022 at 12:21 amI wish I knew what my talents are. It feels like I have none.
Carol Rice says
July 10, 2018 at 11:14 pmThank you very much for sharing your incite. Proverbs 17:16 was put in my spirit two days ago early in the morning. I prayed searched scriptures to gain an understanding as to what He wanted me know and do. I thank Him for using you to expound on the message He want to convey. We really do serve an awesome and faithful God!!!
Charles jnr says
September 25, 2018 at 9:29 amthank you for the write up… I understand better now 🙏
Domenica says
November 10, 2018 at 2:22 pmI was never sure what my talents were ,after looking at your questions i Believe GOD gave me a heart for helping people , thank you for being a blessing
Karl says
November 17, 2018 at 5:22 pmHi, thanks alot for this revelation. Please I will love to understand more, am very good with my hands, a create anything I see with proper guidelines, fix things also but I’m confused on which skill to pursue. At the moment I’m an undergraduate mathematics student and I’m struggling with the course what should I do thanks.
yvonne says
November 19, 2018 at 6:37 amNow i uderstand about talents but my queston is that if you pray for gifts God can gave you
Victoria Binabiba says
March 18, 2019 at 4:23 pmAm so blessed reading this piece. Very help.
Tony Rivera says
August 10, 2019 at 2:18 amInterested in free book about god given gifts
Ann says
December 2, 2019 at 3:05 pmThank you. I felt alone in this area until I read this. GOD Bless
rajesh says
December 28, 2019 at 10:24 ampraise the lord
rajesh says
December 28, 2019 at 10:24 ampraise the lord
Sok nang says
January 8, 2020 at 2:48 pmI love Jesus 4rever
Jesse says
October 3, 2022 at 12:19 amI wish I knew what may talents are. It feels like I have none.
Felix Emiojerenre Ukutiren says
January 15, 2020 at 8:44 amInterested in free book about God give talents
Amanda Alosi says
April 2, 2020 at 10:46 amI’m a Christian and I’m interested in learning more about the gifts from From God.
Thank you
Kenneth Gray says
April 3, 2020 at 12:44 pmI still don’t understand how to find talents. I live in poverty and can’t afford to try new things (everything costs money now) until I stumble across what I am good at. Maybe I have the wrong idea of what a talent is. I can’t sing, dance, play an instrument, draw, paint, write, etc.
To me a talent is an ability that can be used to improve my life. The only thing I am good at is complaining, can’t make a decent life out of this talent. Is complaining actually a talent? I need a talent to make money to improve my life and to help others with. How do you find this kind of talent? I’ve been trying to find a way to get a skid/pallet of Bibles to distribute to the poor in my city. Even groups that do the same thing can’t help me. No talent of persuasion. How can an untalented person make the money needed to help people. Without a talent all is hopeless.
Thanks and God Bless You.
Geo says
July 18, 2020 at 10:39 pmHi Kenneth,
am reading your comment and it just makes me wonder if when you wrote this absolutely nothing clicked in you unless you didn’t re-read your comment and missed it because the answer you are looking for is in your own comment.
First, let’s get one thing straight the talent God gave you is to benefit others first directly and in turn, you will rip the rewards indirectly as a result of using that talent, Everybody has a talent God in his mighty ways has given us all different kinds, you might not think of something has talent because you still don’t know how to use it correctly once you do everything will change for you.
You mentioned the only thing you are good at is “complaining!” If you are good at it then there is “YOUR TALENT” not everybody is good at complaining or making their case heard and they are lot of people , companies who would benefit from your Talent…see where am going with this?
you might also want to drop the term “complaining” and replace it with “advocating” Start small and get yourself out there then try to advocate a case “any case” on someone else`s behalf because “complaining is your talent” you will win it for them and your life will never be the same, but remember your talent is meant to help others first and the benefits created as a result of using your talent is your reward not the other way round. If you seek to cash in on it first instead of truly helping others well it will backfire and you will fail.
Hope this helps, start small, put yourself out there test yourself even if you don’t believe people would even consider letting you argue there case for them do it for free at first and do it well and watch your life and the lives of those you help change.
If you don’t try you will never know whether or not it was your talent and although good things come to those who wait even greater things comes to those who are willing to take a risk the choice is yours to make.
sara says
August 24, 2020 at 8:51 pmKenneth Gray
Thank you, Mr. Gray. I will be seventy years old, saved for 41 years and still cannot find my talent. I am not good at anything–and I have tried. Nobody I know gives me any feedback as to what I may be good at. At this point, I have given up. I know the Bible says that God gives everyone a talent; and I have pleaded with Him to show me, but I still do not know. So, Kenneth, you are not the only one.
I think that you should team up with someone who has the talent of administration to find out how to implement your good idea of distributing Bibles. Just because you can’t do the whole process, it doesn’t mean that you should not do what you think you feel compelled to do. Anyway, we are supposed to work together, right? Take it a step further and persist in finding a way to distribute these Bibles. If it doesn’t work out, join with others who are already doing what you feel is important to do. God bless. You have a good idea, you just need to carry it through to completion.
April says
October 11, 2020 at 11:17 pmYou are so funny, you could be a comedian you make people laugh, laughter is the best medicine if this is something that you’ve ever wondered about or it keeps coming to your mind..then pray about it ask God to put in you the mind of Christ.
carol says
July 9, 2023 at 7:10 amKenneth, Help Amanda. She wants to know what are the gifts from God. I think you can answer that. It’s the comment directly above yours. Grace is a free gift from God, Amanda.
Kenneth, you can share on-line bible websites. You don’t have to purchase them. Almost everyone has a phone or computer. Research on-line bible studies. Father Mike Schmitz has one on how to read the bible in one year. Bibles can be collected from thrift stores at a very modest price. They don’t have to be brand new to be used. Maybe leave notes around town about what you are trying to do. Possibly a bible study at a local librar
Raji Barakah says
April 12, 2020 at 8:13 pmThank you so much for this,I appreciate it
Raji Barakah says
April 12, 2020 at 8:15 pmThank you so much for this
D Stack says
February 24, 2021 at 12:32 amNope nothing
Naomi Siplin-Boyd says
October 20, 2021 at 1:58 pmHey I’m 46 years old always wondering what my gift is not sure so I prayed about it for awhile didn’t get a any right away and 2 days ago he said to me your a Prophetesses and Now I’m not sure I feel a little ashame to tell my husband and church for some reason maybe I don’t want to be embarrassed if I’m wrong, but for years ima dreamer and I see things on people Since stuff and a lot times I’m not always on point How do I Make Sure before I start telling people maybe or let God do what he do give me more confirmation?
Samantha says
January 13, 2023 at 4:22 amGod bless
Kenneth Gray says
February 23, 2023 at 7:06 pmHello,
Thanks for the responses to my comment.
Geo, thanks, but arguing (complaining) won’t work for me as nobody ever listens to me. I am ignored by everyone. Dismissed without even being heard. Even by God. I don’t have any resources (money) to even try with. Poverty sucks. Poverty is where you end up when you have no skills, talents, or abilities. No skills, no talents, no abilities, and no money, means that life is hopeless. But thanks for your reply.
Sara, thanks for your response to my comment.
I have looked into getting help with my desire to give out Bibles. Tried and failed. No skills, talents, abilities, or money. Poverty restricts so much. I have looked into joining with an organization that is doing what I need to do. The problem with that is that there aren’t any people or organizations doing this in my area. One of the reasons I feel I need to do this. Another problem is that if I did join in with others is that it would no longer be me doing it. Part of this need is to do it myself. I feel that it is my responsibility to do this for my Lords God and Jesus. I don’t know if you are religious or not, but I am and feel compelled to do this by myself.
April, I am not sure if your response was to my comment. But thanks for the reply anyway. If it was directed at my comment, I can assure you that I am not funny. People don’t laugh when they are in my presence they sneer and turn up their noses. Nobody likes me, let alone find me funny. Besides, they can’t find me funny when they won’t even listen to me.
Thanks for your replies. God bless you all.
Sorry for rambling on about how useless I am.
Penny says
May 14, 2023 at 5:19 amKenneth, for a poverty-stricken complainer you are very good at writing and getting your ideas “out there.” I agree with the commenter who said that you should seek to serve the Lord and not yourself first. I know this is difficult when you are in need of so much. Have you considered volunteering your time to helping others? You never know how God will use this to benefit you. Complaining is of no value to anyone.
May God bless you always.
Ekene Daniel says
March 21, 2023 at 2:06 pmReplying to Kenneth gray. I don’t know what you think but if I could compose such a long detailed script of your complaint I would be glad. I think you are a good writer. I think we all have a gift or something that comes to us natural. Sometimes we just overlook it or lack the courage to expand the gift. Don’t spend your energy on complaining and start been aware of the little things you can do. Talent doesn’t necessarily have to be the ‘popular’ we are accustomed to as you aforementioned. May the lord direct your path
Carter says
April 17, 2024 at 3:56 pmI have always had a passion for business but God has always been very against it being clear in the ways he shows me not to try to do any of the business stuff. I have no idea what my talents are but im only 19 so it could just take some time to really come to enjoy doing things in life and to make those things work in ministry