When we consider the action of the Spirit in gift, the principle of Scripture — of the Lord — is natural endowment, then gift, and then diligence in the use of the gift. It is important to see this, for gift is not something distinct from the individual possessing it. Rather, gift is associated with the one to whom it is given, with his natural talents and abilities, and with diligence in its development. Let us consider first natural endowment.
Natural Ability
In Matthew 25 we have the express statement of the Lord that when He went away He called His servants and gave to each of them “according to his particular ability” (JND). Paul is spoken of as a “chosen vessel” as well as the receiver of a gift, and surely no one can doubt the remarkable qualities that preceded his call. When we read the history of men like Peter, James and John, can we doubt that they had qualities before the day of Pentecost — qualities which the Lord had, in His divine wisdom, given to be used in connection with His gift?
In Romans 12:66Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (Romans 12:6) we read, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,” and then various gifts are detailed for us along with the proper use of them. The gifts are not merely preaching, but any service for the saints. This would of necessity involve the individual himself, not only the gift. Finally, in Ephesians 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11), we have apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers spoken of, and here the gift is clearly the man himself. All of the individual’s natural abilities and even his physical characteristics were involved. The gift given would complement and fit in with the natural abilities of the one to whom the gift was given.
The Gift Giver
As to gifts themselves, these are not properly “gifts of the Spirit,” although we do not object to the term if it is understood properly. However, we have no such term in Scripture. The gifts were given from a risen Christ in glory, as we read in Ephesians 4:88Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8) —“When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” In some cases the administrative giving of these gifts was committed to the apostles, and thus Paul could say to Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Tim. 1:6). But note that it is clearly spoken of as “the gift of God.” Such gifts were given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:1212For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:12)). The Spirit is clearly the power in the operation of these gifts, but He is not spoken of as the giver.
More Important Than Gift
More than this, gifts were always connected with the body of Christ, and Scripture never speaks of their being exercised outside of the unity of the body. In this way every one has a gift, for each member of the body has something to contribute. “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Eph. 4:77But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7)). Some gifts were more prominent, but in another sense everything is a gift, whether connected with a display of supernatural power or whether for the good and blessing of the people of God in less spectacular ways. God has given these gifts for the maintenance of the unity of the body. However, the unity of the body and the presence of God in it are of more importance than the means used to maintain it. The object of gift is not to attract to the gift, but rather to the One who gave it and the display of that unity of the body with Him.
Finally, Scripture speaks of the diligent use of gift. We have already remarked how that Paul exhorted Timothy to “stir up the gift” that was in him. Earlier on, he had told Timothy to “neglect not the gift that is in thee” and to “meditate upon these things,” to give himself “wholly to them” (1 Tim. 4:1415). All of these directions prove that the possession of gift was to be accompanied by the diligent use of it, so that profiting should appear.
Who Gets the Glory?
In conclusion, we see that while gifts as such are from a risen Christ in glory, they are, according to Scripture, connected closely both with the natural abilities and talents of the individual and subsequently with the diligence in the development of the gift. We see the wisdom of God in this. As the Giver of the gift, our Lord Jesus Christ gets the glory, for it is He who gives the gift. When we receive a gift and the benefit it gives, we thank the giver, not the gift itself. On the other hand, God recognizes natural abilities that may be needed for the proper exercise of gift. Thus a good mind can be a wonderful gift if used under the power of the Spirit of God. Sad to say, many gifts today lie dormant because of a lack of diligence, and the saints of God suffer in consequence.
Above all, may we recognize that all gift, whether public or used more privately, is ultimately for the good of God’s people and for the glory of Christ, in order that we might “grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:1515But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)).
W. Kelly, adapted from Bible Treasury, Vol. 4