SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed” (1 Corinthians 12:1).
I assume that applies to us also: we ought not to be uninformed about the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts.
Spiritual gifts strengthen our faith in God and in others.
We all have gifts and we are here to know about them and to use them to help one another. Do not worry about whether you can point to prophecy, or teaching, or wisdom, or knowledge, or healing, or miracles, or mercy, or administration, etc., and say, “That’s mine.”
The way to think is this: the reason we have spiritual gifts is so that we can strengthen other people’s faith. Here is someone whose faith is in jeopardy, how can I help him? Then do or say what seems most helpful, and if the person is helped, then you may have discovered one of your gifts.
If you warned him of the folly of his way and he repented, then perhaps you have the gift of “warning.” If you took a walk with her and said you knew what she was going through and lifted her hope, then perhaps you have the gift of “empathy.’’
If you had them over to your home when they were new and lonely, then perhaps you have the gift of “hospitality.” We must not get hung up on naming our gifts.
The thing to get hung up on is, “Are we doing what we can do to strengthen the faith of the people around us?
I really believe that the problem of not knowing our spiritual gifts is not a basic problem. More basic is the problem of not desiring very much to strengthen other people’s faith. Human nature is more prone to tear down than it is to build up. The path of least resistance leads to grumbling and criticism and gossip, and many there be that follow it. But the gate is narrow and the way is strewn with obstacles which leads to edification and the strengthening of faith.
The gifts are given to be given. To lead to increasing of your faith and to bring the Grace of Lord upon you, by uplifting your Soul on the path of the Divine Light of God in Oneness with the people around you.
Sincerely,
Stella Kamenova