“But the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”
1 Corinthians 12:7

There are two lists of the gifts and talents in the Bible. One is found in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. One of those gifts is faith. I was given the gift of faith. It took me a long time to understand and walk in that gift. As I choose to exercise that gift it grows more and more. It will, right up till the day He takes me home. 

I recently walked through something where I needed to exercise “faith.” I caught a glimpse of something new about this gift that I just didn’t see before. I’m so glad that the Lord gave me this revelation because now I believe I will be compelled to operate even more in this gift. The revelation is, if I believe that faith is one of the gifts and believe that God has given it to me, then I am going to be held to a higher standard in that gift. Meaning, I need to exercise faith greater than someone who does not have that gift. I feel strongly there is a mandate for me to use the gift He has given. 

One of the areas that I am tested with using faith is finances. Time and time again when there has been an opportunity for me to have more finances it would always fall through. What I saw through that was the Lord did not want me to have excess in that area because I have to use my faith and believe that He will always provide for me. After years of provision from Him I can attest He has abundantly supplied! The gifts and talents that He has given me I am obligated to use, exercise and give away. A biblical example of this is found in the parable of the talents. Mathew 25:14-30

The story is about a landowner who went away for some time. Before he did he called in his servants and gave each of them talents according to their ability. To the first one he gave five, the second he gave two and the third he gave one. The one with five doubled it and made 10. The one with two doubled his and made 4. The one with one talent buried it and did not multiply it. The owner came home and demanded to see what they had done with the talents he had given them. The one with the five handed the owner 10. The one with the two talents handed him 4. His response to both of them was well done. The last one handed over his one. The owner said, “You wicked servant. Cast him into outer darkness.”

This story relates to the gifts and talents that the Lord has given us according to our abilities. 

Notice the word abilities. I can rest assured that what He gave me I then have what it takes to use it to the fullest. There is a mandate from the Lord to use and multiply these talents. I believe this story in Matthew pertains to the day when we will stand before Him and are held accountable for what we have done with the gifts and talents we have been given. I don’t know about you but I want to hear, well done!

One more part of the revelation is the importance of using the gifts and talents because it sets an example for those around me. I believe it will help them recognize if they have that gift also and inspire them to use it! 

I encourage you to go to the word and find the list of gifts and talents. Discover which ones you have and begin using and exercising them today. You will be blessed in doing so!