Whose gift is it anyway?
“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
Though Herodotus wrote these familiar words some 2500 years ago, it wasn’t until 1912—when they were inscribed above the entrance to the New York City General Post Office—that they became more widely known as the unofficial slogan of the U.S. Postal Service.
But in both the relatively obscure original and the more commonly known modern application of the quote, the words imply a nobility of purpose and a focused intent on the part of the couriers. It was vitally important millennia ago—as it is vitally important now—that those materials which were addressed and intended for specific recipients were delivered both faithfully and speedily by those to whom they had been entrusted for passage. Thus, we rightly condemn the occasional mail carrier who, through indifference or indolence, fails to perform his duty.
What has all this to do with spiritual gift? Simply speaking, all believers are like couriers that have been entrusted to carry spiritual gifts to others. A gift is not ours to dwell on and enjoy in solitude (though enjoy it we surely eventually will); rather, a gift’s primary purpose is to be carried to its intended recipients: the church. It is our sacred duty and privilege to deliver the gifts God entrusts to us faithfully and speedily.
Pass It On
Sadly, many Christians have come to regard their spiritual gifts (if they regard them at all) as if they were a birthday present meant only for personal enjoyment; instead, our spiritual gifts find their intended roles and provide the intended satisfaction only when being given liberally in turn. Look again at any number of those verses which tell us who the true recipient of spiritual gift is intended to be:
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (1 Cor. 12:7) “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Pet. 4:10). “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11f)
Once we begin to appreciate that the spiritual gifts we have received are not solely ours but are ours to carry for a time as stewards, it becomes clear that any given local church may be struggling in part because the couriers God has sent to carry His blessing and provision to a local body are not taking their jobs seriously. In short, the mail is not getting through! Those who have gift are not actively using that gift, and their failure is to the detriment of the church.
Scripture clearly and repeatedly states that every individual Christian has been given at least one gift, and, further, that every gift is sent for the benefit and building up of others. As a consequence, we should give serious study to understanding the vital role that delivering, or applying, our gifts ought to take in our lives.
Misuse of gift
The apostle Paul was under no illusions about the importance of the application of spiritual gifts in the church. He had two admonitions in this regard for Timothy: Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1 Tim. 4:14)
Timothy was warned that it was possible that he could neglect his gift, that he could leave undelivered that which was desperately needed. Neglecting a gift in any other setting is an indication that the giver has made a mistake and misunderstood your needs or desires; it is a repudiation of the giver. It is troubling to realize that this is also true in the spiritual realm. Are we sending God the message, day after day, that we do not think He has considered us appropriately, that His gift is unwanted? Have we, by our neglect, challenged the wisdom of the Great Giver?
Of course the problem with a neglected spiritual gift never lies with the Giver; it is always the fault of the recipient. God knows you fully—as He knew Timothy— and has tailored the perfect gift to suit your circumstance and your new nature. He has given you your particular spiritual gift as a purpose and a mission and as a fulfilling role to play in church life. It is not an overstatement to say that neglecting your gift will ensure that you will miss a significant part of what God wants for your life. Paul did not want Timothy, through simple indifference, to miss even a portion of God’s call.
The Christian life is more than the simple absence of evil; it is the active presence of that which is good. Scripture provides that balance time and again in the form of a “don’t” which precedes a “do.” Paul not only advised Timothy with a negative (“don’t neglect”) but shortly thereafter follows up with an assertive positive: “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” (2 Tim. 1:6)
If Paul were concerned earlier about neglect and indifference, here he is concerned about inactivity and indolence. “Stir up” conveys the image of a fire that has died down from what it once was, language that the NASB renders appropriately as “kindling afresh.” Timothy was encouraged by Paul to make a concerted effort to re-apply his gift in order to bring about the effect he once had, and should continue to have, in the church. The remediation for a neglected gift is considered and repeated application.
Too many Christians have been saved and are now passively waiting for God to call them home; they have clenched their teeth and are riding out the bitter storm until He returns. They are unsatisfied with their local church, unhappy with their own inactivity, and unsure what should be done about it. Changing churches (again) is not likely the cure. In reality, God intends the Christian life to be one of joyful service, even in difficult circumstances and imperfect local churches. He has given us ideally-suited spiritual gifts and called us to be employed in using them for others with whom we share fellowship. In Acts 20—some of Paul’s last words to those he loved—he quoted the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This is proven true in the matter of spiritual gift; we will surely find satisfaction and blessing in serving others when we do so in the way God has asked of us. We will find our local church improving as we apply God’s blessing to it.
Getting the most out of our gift
If we are serious about pleasing God, fulfilling our duty, and finding lasting joy we ought to be:
Aware of our gift.
It is easy to neglect a gift you do not know you have. Far better to make a concerted study of what the Bible says our gifts might be. In that way, even if we do not know them yet, we will eventually be able to recognize them.
Appreciating our gift.
It is a common enough flaw to fear that God has given you a gift that is inappropriate for you. It is not so. He knows you better than you know yourself, and, if you are faithful with your gift, you will ultimately find joy and blessing in exercising it. Be grateful to the Giver.
Applying our gift.
Use your gift liberally, for God loves a cheerful giver. Give boldly, knowing that the source of your gift remains undiminished by generous application. God desires to bless the church through you. The extent of that blessing, the effect of your gift, and the eternal reward that awaits you, will be limited only by your character, not God’s.
It is long past time for many of us to stop casting about to find the faults and the source of our dissatisfaction in our peers. May we labor instead to give gladly in service to our brothers and sisters that which God has intended for them through us. May we truly be “workers together with Him.”