August 06, 2021by Molly Howardin [ Spiritual Life ]
Is there something that you are gifted at? Do you have a passion for dance or sports? Are you a talented public speaker or leader? Do you enjoy working with animals or building things?
Everyone has certain talents or God-given gifts that they are skilled in. For example, some people are very hospitable and relatable and know how to make people feel comfortable. Some individuals are talented businesspeople, teachers, musicians or parents.
These talents can be more than hobbies or even careers. These gifts can be used for the glory of God. Using your talents for God can allow you to be a part of advancing the kingdom of God, helping others, and improving the world around you.
Discover Your God-given Gifts
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17, NIV
James 1:17 tells us that every gift is from God. We all have different talents and God-given gifts, but they are all important and can be used for God’s kingdom.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is comparing the individuals in the body of Christ to different parts of the body. Even though each part serves a different purpose and has a different function, all are important in the whole and are needed for the body to function properly. It is the same with our talents; they are all different but each one serves a purpose.
Some people may know what their talents and gifts are. Other people may not be completely sure of their skills and strong points. There are various ways to find what you are good at including:
- Prayer: Matthew 7:7 tells us to ask, seek and knock. We can pray about and seek out our talents. God can give us wisdom about what our talents are. We can trust the Holy Spirit to lead us about our gifts.
- Asking Others: Asking others can also give us an idea about our talents. Sometimes it is hard to see qualities and skills in ourselves but easy to see qualities in others.
- Pay Attention to What You Enjoy:What activities do you enjoy?Sometimes talents and interests align. From landscaping to fixing things, if you enjoy it, it can be one of your strong points that God has gifted you in.
- Practice: Talents do not develop overnight. They take practice and effort. For example, if you want to be a good baker, you need to practice and improve your baking. Even if you are naturally gifted in something,practice can help you grow in that area and become a good steward of your God-given gift.
Using Your Talents for God
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11, NIV
The Bible encourages Christians to be “faithful stewards” of our God-given gifts. Using your talents for God can help you find purposeful work and share God’s love. Depending on what your gifts are, you will most likely be using those talents in different ways.
There are many examples of ways talents can be used to show glory to God. If you are gifted in teaching, perhaps you can use your talents to help teach a Sunday school class at your church. If you are an artist, you might use your talent to create art that depicts events or that people can relate to. Do you find it easy to converse with others? Consider using that gift to ask someone who is lonelyto lunch.Is cooking one of your talents? Preparing meals for a person who lost a family member could be one application of your talent.
Look for opportunities to serve God and use your gifts in your daily life. Using your talents for God might not look the same every day. Some days you may notice exactly how God is working through your talents;other days it may be more behind closed doors and you may not see how your gift is affecting others.
Even if you do not see how your talent is making an impact, it is important to let yourself be used by God because you may never know how you affected someone’s life.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16, NIV
Grand Canyon University wants to help you find your purpose. Our Christian university offers degree programs that encourage you to develop your God-given talents or gifts. If you want to learn more about College of Theology or GCU, click on the Request Info button located at the top of your screen.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do notnecessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited wereaccurate as of the publish date.
FAQs
Administration, Apostleship, Craftsmanship; Discernment; Encouragement; Evangelism; Faith; Giving; Healing; Helping; Hospitality; Intercession; Knowledge; Leadership; Mercy; Miracles; Prophecy; Serving; Shepherding; Teaching; Tongues & Interpretation; Wisdom. SPIRITUAL GIFT OR GOD-GIVEN ABILITY?
How to use God-given talents and abilities to enhance responsibility? ›
Each member of the family should use his/her talents to serve other members of the family. We should also help our brothers and sisters to identify and improve their talents. When we use our talents to do the tasks we are given, we serve God and the people around us.
How do we use our gifts and talents to glorify God? ›
Share your gift with your friends.
Show them your talent and ask them about theirs. Then, together you can look for opportunities to share your gifts with others. Encourage them to recognize God's hand in their abilities and pray for them to have guidance in this area.
What is the purpose of God for giving you talents? ›
God gives humans talents so that in using them for the benefit of our fellows, we proclaim His awesome power of creativity and benevolence. Despite what we might think of ourselves, human beings are God's work of art. That is why He does not wish that any one of us be lost to sin, but rather to be saved from damnation.
What is an example of a spiritual talent? ›
These abilities, often termed "charismatic gifts", are the word of knowledge, increased faith, the gifts of healing, the gift of miracles, prophecy, the discernment of spirits, kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues.
Who were given talents in the Bible? ›
The "Parable of the Talents", in Matthew 25:14–30 tells of a master who was leaving his house to travel, and, before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. According to the abilities of each man, one servant received five talents, the second had received two, and the third received only one.
How to identify your God-given talents? ›
We can tell when a skill or ability is a God-given talent when it is unique to us, brings us closer to our sense of purpose and our deep passions, and can be used to do good in this world. That may be a broad description but it can help you identify what a God-given talent looks like in your life or the life of others.
What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift? ›
Spiritual gifts are received, are given only to those who are saved and are given in surprise and maturity, and is used solely for the command of the Church, while natural talents are inherited, can be received by those who are not saved as well, and can be used even for selfish and personal gains.
What is the difference between a talent and a gift? ›
Talents come through the genes of natural inheritance; gifts directly by the Lord. Talent comes from the first Adam and, however attractive, is still a part of man's fallen nature. The gift is by the Holy Spirit, as it pleases Him" (Carlton Helgerson, The Local Church, pages 34-35).
What is the difference between a gift and a talent in the Bible? ›
First, we have to understand that there are differences between gifts and talents. A talent is a result of something that already comes in your genetics or from a training on something. A spiritual gift is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit, acting through you.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
How to identify your gifts and talents? ›
7 ways To Identify Your Unique Gifts and Contribute to the World
- Take note of activities that give you a sense of ease. ...
- Get an Outside View of You, even as a Child. ...
- Seek the Talent in Others that Inspires You. ...
- Write Down Your Thoughts Daily. ...
- Assess your Current State with a Personality Test.
Jesus tells the story of a rich man who has three slaves. He gives each slave an amount of money, referred to as talents and possibly talents of gold, based upon that man's ability to steward and care for the money. The first steward is given 5 talents, the second is given two talents and the third is given one.
What are talents in the Bible? ›
To a second servant, he gives two talents, and to a third servant, he gives one talent (Matthew 25:14-15). In this instance, a talent refers to a unit of measurement often used to weigh out silver or gold. It differs from the modern concept of a “talent” as a gift or natural ability.
Where in the Bible does it say God gives us talents? ›
Matt. 25 Verses 14 to 30
[14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
What are some examples of God giving in the Bible? ›
Matthew 8 | God gives Jesus. Mark 6 | God gives food to the hungry. Luke 5 | God gives His touch to the untouchables. John 14 | God doesn't leave us as orphans but gives us His Holy Spirit.
