The scriptures make it clear that we each have been given gifts that are given for the purpose of ministry to, edify/build up, others in the body of Christ. And, to reach those around us in the world manifesting the fullness of His love. And finally, to give testimony to unseen principalities and powers above us of the Lordship of Jesus over all, but first in His body, the church, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
None of us has authority to be another’s master or Lord, that belongs to Jesus as our Head alone. However we are gifts/tools in His hand to build up, shape, encourage, support and serve one another. As such we are gifts from the Lord to the church, and gifts to one another; we are servants of the Lord, and servants to one another. That, of needs, means our place in relationship to one another is necessary and important.
Paul gives much instruction about stewarding gifts under the direction of the Holy Spirit. In contemporary times, however, we have made much of the use, or movement in gifts, and less of the direction of the Holy Spirit, to our own detriment and, unfortunately, much movement in the flesh.
I trust you understand it is possible to have been anointed or filled with the Spirit and still move in the flesh. That is the difference in feeding from the “Tree of the Knowledge of GOOD and evil” and feeding from the “Tree of Life”. You can do that which may seem, and be, good in the flesh, but it will not bear the fruit of Life. However you cannot do that which is Life giving and not bear good fruit.
A favorite, but far less quoted, passage on the stewardship of gifts comes from Peter:
8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10As each one has received a [special] gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11Whoever speaks, [is to do so] as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves [is to do so] as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:8-11
Where Paul in exhorting the church at Corinth begins with outlining body ministry gifts, and winds up outlining tongues and prophecy, putting love in the middle of the sandwich (1st Corinthians 12,13,14), Peter succinctly here starts with an admonition to keep love warm and glowing and at the root of your service, and to serve with hospitality without grumbling about your servant position. Then, Peter gives straightforward direction saying you have received a special gift, and are to employ it, put it to work, in service, not to yourself or bringing you attention or glory or position, but in service to one another! And… your attitude towards it is that you are not the focus of the gift. You are a steward…. of what?, and must pay attention to what? YOUR GIFT. NO!!! The manifold grace,… that is, the multifaceted grace of God. IT IS HIS GLORIOUS GIFT/HIS GRACE to the church, and others, you are handling; or that He is handing through you, to affect others. Multifaceted! It is like a diamond, every time you turn it, it reflects light and glory and fire in yet a more beautiful and awe inspiring way.
Then Peter gives yet more specific instruction. When you speak you speak the utterances of God. When you serve you are enabled by God’s strength and ability. Again, in the vernacular, IT AIN’T ABOUT YOU AND YOUR GIFT(S). It is He/God supplying the gift, the grace, the power. And, the glory is God’s through Jesus, in the fullness of His Body building itself up and reaching others with His love. The Lordship and dominion of Jesus is fully manifested as we serve one another only for His glory in love.
Now, you may read this and say to yourself. “”Oh… I have to be so careful about knowing what I say or do is from God, I better just be silent and do nothing”. NO. Again I say No. Just be aware that the Holy Spirit is in you to do and say as He wills. Don’t fear moving to love, serve, minister to others in Him. But do be aware that it is possible to minister from the flesh, and avoid that.
Timothy had an issue. He was timid. Paul told him:
3I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 5For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that [it is] in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:3-7
The apostle valued Timothy, knowing his faith was sincere, and that he had had godly heritage in his upbringing. Paul saw things in Timothy that he could not see in himself, and knew of his lack of confidence in youth. So he exhorts His younger brother in the Lord, which he sometimes called his son in faith, to “Kindle anew the gift of God which is in you…” . Some translations say “Stir up the gift of God”. In either case the admonition is not to sit on the gift of God which was in Him. But to actively put it to work, employ it. Then, Paul directly tells him that He has not been given a spirit of timidity. He is not to hold back out of fear, or feeling unworthy, or less than, or unqualified. God has given Him a spirit of power and love and discipline.
Let me say here, that the flesh will run with the idea of moving in power and love. Coming from feeding from the tree of the knowledge of GOOD and evil. But, the Spirit will bring in the balance of discipline; with power and love. Know what to speak, when to speak, what to do, and when to do it. Listen to the Spirit and move in His power/enabling for effective ministry. Move in the flesh and your words and deeds fall to the ground without the mix of power and love Nevertheless, do not be bound in timidity, Stir Up, Kindle Afresh the Fire, and move under His direction .
Paul would later instruct his young disciple, again giving him clear direction to not be timid but empoy his gift(s):
12Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but [rather] in speech, conduct, love, faith [and] purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13Until I come, give attention to the [public] reading [of Scripture,] to exhortation and teaching.
1 Timothy 4:12-13
Those that know me well know I believe Ephesians 4:11-12 outlines what I call “ministry gifts” God has given to the church. Those/men/women that are gifts to the church to build her up. They are nothing of themselves, and should not be placed on pedestals, and they wield no authority over others. They have simply been given gifts/abilities to equip saints for the work of service in particular ways. I also believe these gifts primarily function one on one, rather than from a platform. There is never a need for them to call attention to themselves or their gift. They just need to function and do what they do, equipping saints.
In Romans 12:3-8, God has given other gifts to various members of the Body for purposes such as hospitality, encouragement, teaching and training. Again these gifts have purpose in Him and His purpose, and do not make those with them special or give them special authority or position. There is no need to call attention to them or their gift(s). It is necessary for them to function and simply do what they do. And, He has also given various manifestations of the Spirit we see in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Again these manifestations are not given to set the one manifesting them apart for any glory, authority, or position. But those manifestations have purpose under the Spirit’s direction.
The difficulty in these gifts comes out of people trying to figure out or identify “their” “spiritual gift” and employ “it” themselves! That is, to employ it in the flesh, serving their purpose rather than His manifold multifaceted grace.
I can’t tell you the number or personality, or strengths, or gifts, “tests” I have seen over the years. All for the purpose of supposedly identifying something in someone. May I just say that if you have a special gifting or calling of some kind, you will know it. The body of Christ will recognize your gifts as you just simply function, without pomp and circumstance and labels. And, He, in His own time and way, will employ and make it manifest. Be more concerned with being a good and faithful steward under the Head/Lord/Spirit than wearing a label that everyone knows, or that brings you some kind of glory and honor or position. Remember in Revelation 4 the 24 elders (representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 disciples of the church) all cast their crowns before the throne, fall on their face and cry “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created!” There is one Worthy and it ain’t us, regardless of what we have done, or achieved.
The marks of Babylon and building in the flesh are building with brick, clay fashioned by your hand and out of much labor, and making a name for yourself.
3They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn [them] thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top [will reach] into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
Genesis 11:3-4
What you are doing may seem good, noble, reaching to God and the heavens. It may come out of a terrific call for unity and working together. The flesh loves such. God, not so much.
God builds with stone, chiseled at quarry, and shaped to fit each stone in place perfectly, and for His glory and habitation.
Let us cease doing our thing our way, for what we think He wants, or what we think He will bless.
Let us Co-labor with Him building what He is building, doing what He is doing, saying what He is speaking. And for His glory alone.
4And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5
22The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner [stone.] 23This is the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
Psalm 118:22-23
16Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone [for] the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes [in it] will not be disturbed. 17“I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place.
Isaiah 28:16-17
7The house, while it was being built, was built of stone prepared at the quarry, and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built.
1 Kings 6:7