There are many different kinds of gifts that God gives His people (see, for example, 1 Cor. 12:8-10, 28-30; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Pet. 4:11). We should help one another recognize our gifts and encourage one another to use them for the edification of the church. Our gifts are “for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).

When was the last time you considered your spiritual gifts? When you think about them, are you quick to recognize they were given to you by Christ for the edification, equipping and encouragement of the church, or were you tempted to think you somehow earned your spiritual gifts by way of education or experience? Did you recognize your spiritual gifts have to do with Christian unity, or are you tempted to covet another’s gift? How you answered these questions is important. The Bible teaches us that we’ve received spiritual gifts in order to benefit others in the body of Christ.

In his letter to the church in Ephesus the apostle Paul makes it clear that Christ “gave gifts to men” (Eph. 4:7-8). Paul alludes to Psalm 68, particularly verses 7-18 that describe God’s victorious march to His temple in Jerusalem. This first major movement of the psalm comes to a crescendo when God ascends on high “receiving gifts among men” (v. 18). Significantly, Paul switches the imagery of God receiving gifts to Christ giving gifts.

Christ “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). The apostles were men who had been with Jesus during his earthly ministry, and who gave us the New Testament. Paul is included as an apostle because the Lord had met him on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-19). The New Testament prophets were men who acted out and spoke the word of the Lord (see Acts 11:28; 21:1-14). Evangelists share the good news of the gospel (see Acts 21:8). And shepherds and teachers faithfully lead the church of God and proclaim the word of God (1 Pet. 5:1-4).

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