When we think of talents and giftings, we tend to think of what we call ‘The Super Gifts’: pastor, prophet, evangelist, apostle, and teacher. While these are vital roles that are needed in the church, they are no more or less important to God than all the other ones.

God’s economy is much different than ours. We can look at the people in those roles and think that they are special and must somehow be loved by God more that is why they got that role. That concept is totally wrong.

God’s amount of love for each one us is the same. God does not have favourites. God also judges our actions differently. We think the bigger the action or the more noticed it is, or the more results it creates, the more important it is to God, but it is not.

A glass of water given in secret in obedience to God is just as important as the person standing on stage winning thousands to Christ. God sees the big picture, throughout all time and He knows what one cup of water can accomplish over eternity.

There is only one you and God uniquely created you to carry out His purposes. Psalm 139:13 says, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.” He has a divine purpose for your life, and He has given you talents and gifts to use to bring His kingdom forth. Your job is to learn what they are, then listen to Him on a daily basis on how to use them.

Let’s look at some of the talents that God has given to us.

1. Hospitality

Most people don’t realize how valuable a talent this is. To be able to either have someone in your home and make them feel loved and accepted by providing good food and an inviting setting, or provide food for church dinners or those in need, is a ministry to the body, soul, and spirit. It is very hard to focus on God when you are hungry.

Can you imagine what it would feel like for someone who is down and out to be invited to your home and treated with dignity and as a valued guest? Ministering to people’s physical needs with love opens the door to minister to their spiritual needs as well.

2. Working with Children

Kids are fertile ground in which to plant the seeds of God. They have this capacity to amaze you one moment and have you completely frustrated the next. That is why it takes a very special type of person to work successfully with children.

Many times, children’s ministry is thought of as something less than, but in my opinion, it is one of the most important. If you can grab a child’s heart for Jesus while they are young and secure it with good teaching and opportunities to work for Jesus, you will not lose them when they get older.

3. Working with Seniors

Seniors are another forgotten area of ministry. They have so much to give and share. Many of them are prayer warriors who are never noticed or recognized on this earth for the results of their prayers.

4. Intercessory Prayer

You can pray, intercede, and see lives changed for God. It is not glamourous, and most times the only one who will know you are doing it is God, but lives are changed when people pray.

5. Administration

Are you good at organizing people, places, or things? Do you have amazing computer skills? Are you fantastic at numbers and accounting? These are services much needed in the church. They are behind-the-scenes jobs that need to be done with excellence and serve the body of Christ by taking care of the logistical needs of the church.

When someone gifted in administration does these tasks, it frees up those who are not good at it to do the work that they have been called to do.

6. Encouragement

Did you know that being able to encourage people is a gift from God? In Romans 12:6-8, Paul lists a number of spiritual gifts, including encouragement (verse 7). We all need each other if the Kingdom of God is going to grow.

There are times when a person needs someone else to come along side of them and pick them up and get them back on track again, and that is what an encourager does.

7. Giving

If God has blessed you financially or with the ability to earn money, then some of that is meant to be used to finance His Kingdom. There is much work that can be done and people who are waiting for the money to do it, and you have to opportunity to meet that need.

Here’s the thing. It doesn’t matter what you gifting is, it must be done in love and obedience to Jesus. Your gifting will be tested, and as you pass the tests, God will entrust you with more and more. Never think that what you do is too small. God can and has used the smallest acts to produce big results.

Think of the little boy who offered his few small loaves of bread and a few fish to Jesus, or the person who lead Billy Graham to the Lord. As far as we know, that is the only person she ever led to the Lord, yet look at the results!

No matter how big or small you think your talents are, they are important to God, and He will use them to see His purposes accomplished here on this earth. So, use them joyfully!

~ By Kim Thompson-Pinder

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