And Adah bore Jabal.
He was the father of those
who dwell in tents
and have livestock.
His brother's name was Jubal.
He was the father of all those
who play the harp and flute.
and as for Zillah, she also bore
Tubal-Cain, an instructor
of every craftsman
in bronze and iron....
Genesis 4:20-22a
The Scriptures are easy to understand for they plainly expose to us the truth that the Holy Spirit gives to man all that man has and by the Sovereignty of God and His Holy decrees, His Providence, all He maintains and empowers has only one end in mind; that being a people for His name. This fact is often forgotten and a sense of self-pride overrides the truth and we believe that what we have is simply who we are and the talent that we demonstrate. Paul in writing to the Corinthian Church and speaks of this problem, a problem that was being practiced in their Church, that is misplacing their admiration upon those who have a certain talent. In their case it was placing their admiration upon Apollos who had the talent of being able to speak well. Paul writes: "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it" (1Corinthians 4:7)?
The Scriptures list about twenty gifts. In the Old Testament we will find some gifts that are not listed in the New Testament. Upon examination of the gifts we will notice that some gifts are similar to natural abilities or talents, and others are spiritual. We all know of people that display certain talent(s) or as we say, a special gift for this or that and we wonder then, what is the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talent? I try to play the guitar like the musician Santana (ha, that is a joke) only to realize that he has a talent that I do not possess. This does not mean that I don't have talent for all people have talent of one kind or another. But we must not forget that all we have comes from God.
God gives to all a talent(s) and has the ability to transform that talent by the power of the Holy Spirit and to use that talent as being spiritual. This makes it hard to understand the difference between spiritual gifts and natural talent. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not drawing a distinction between the two is necessary; both come from God and He uses what He has given for His purposes. However, under the discussion at hand, that is, spiritual gifts, we consent the gifts and talents exist but now we focus on the supernatural ones that the Holy Spirit gives to a person for the benefit of the Church.
In the world today we place upon the pedestal of honor those who seem to have a special talent. We not only place them upon a high pedestal, we pay them lots of money and give to them such admiration for being so talented. It is true that many of these people have worked hard at their special gift and do well in their use of that gift, but far too often wear that gift as an ornamental piece of jewelry for their personal enjoyment; we follow them along as those they are such special people with such special powers of talent: just ask a paparazzi who do all they can to extol a person of talent. We as Christian often do the same with men who display a certain talent; we chase after them with our mouths salivating for more; it seems that Apollos groupies exist today. The gifts given to man are only tools to be used by man, especially those spiritual gifts that are for the use in the functioning of the Church. Often those gifts are held high as a distinction that makes them feel holy, and the person revels in the fact that they have a certain gift(s).
Moses writes to us about a son of Judah; His name Bezalel: "And I (that is, God, my interjection) have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you" (Exodus 31:3-6). I will add a witness to the fact that all we have has come from God: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17). So why should anyone boast? You have what God has graciously given. Unfortunately what God has given to man was corrupted at the fall by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and we can see that this corruption has often caused men and women to misuse their God-given talent and of Spiritual gifts. We are commanded as was Bezalel, to us use our gifts, or talents. Is this being done? Ask yourself! Or are such talents or gifts you have only satisfying you and giving to you some measure of personal enjoyment, we place ourselves on a pedestal, a pedestal that shows how talented we are, how important we are as though we have what we have because we are so great, so important? Or are we quietly using our gifts to bring to others the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our everyday, even in mundane activities? If we are called to be a pastor, a teacher and be in the public eye; are we using our gift to glorify God or ourselves? What then is the purpose of spiritual gifts? This will be our next subject.
I will give You thanks
in the great assembly;
I will praise you among
many people.
Psalm 35:18
May Our Eyes Be Opened By God
Richard L. Crumb
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