Spiritual Gifts FAQs #7

Q: What’s the difference between spiritual gifts and talents?

A:  From Scripture, primarily Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4, we get the following definition of spiritual gifts:

□         Special abilities--beyond our natural talents

□         Given by God according to His choosing, His grace, His mercy

□         Spirit-empowered

□         Given to each and every believer in Jesus—at the time of spiritual birth (and beyond)

□         In order to be used to glorify God  (1 Peter 4:11)

□         And for the common good and strengthening of the body of Christ.  (Eph. 4:11-13)

□         Given for the purpose of serving others, not self

Natural talents are given to every human (not just believers in Jesus) and are part of God’s physical design of us—we are born with them. Our talents are evidence of the Lord’s common grace to every human being, lovingly created by Him.  We all know people who don’t know Jesus in a personal way but have an incredible musical ability or talent for communication or are especially adept at athletic pursuits. 

Talents, like gifts, do have to be developed. Talents can also be used in the context of God using you in a special way to glorify Him and build up the Body—or not. You may play the piano well but not have the gifting nor the calling to use that talent to lead us in worship—it may work better as performance art in a secular setting.

What sometimes brings confusion is that when we choose to follow Jesus, God may choose to use one of our talents and transform it into a gift--so that talent in music becomes the spiritual gift of artistic expression. Or, that talent of organizing things changes into a gift of administration.

Since God has called the whole of you to the whole of Him—to carry out His work in the church and the world, don’t get too wrapped up in whether something is a talent or a gift. If you’re a believer, you’re called to offer everything back to Him. He can use everything. Your job is faithfulness. Each day. With all the Lord has given you.

(For more on gifts, check out the Resources page at GodGiftsYou.com. Take the free assessment and see what gifts God has bestowed on you to contribute to the whole.)

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Equipping Ministries Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.

Photo (c) Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.