Gifts of the Spirit

This month was full of gifts. As we look forward to a New Year, let’s focus on how we are using those gifts we received.

Last week we spoke about gifts from God and the role of Jesus Christ as that central and most important gift in our lives. To further this discussion, let’s talk about the spiritual gifts God gives us.

The scriptures speak of spiritual gifts such as, wisdom, healing, tongues, etc (1Corinthians 12 & Moroni 10:1-19). I would venture to say that spiritual gifts might also extend beyond the talents and blessings listed in these scriptures. To God all things are spiritual because all things are given of Him and are meant for His purposes (Doctrine & Covenants 29:34). So, in a way, all gifts, talents and blessings are really Gifts of the Spirit. I do not say this to take away from those gifts listed in the scriptures, but rather to open your mind to potential gifts that you personally have received from God.

What God Expects

To help us better understand spiritual gifts and what God expects us to do with them, let's turn to the parable of the talents. In the scriptures, the Savior tells of a lord with three servants, whom he provides with a portion of money. The first servant receives five talents (or money), the second receives two talents and the third receives one.  The first and the second both used the lord’s talents wisely to double their increase for the lord. "But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money (Matthew 25:18)."

When the lord followed up with the servants, the first two had great things to report, but the last explained, “…I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine (Matthew 25:25).” In other words, this servant assumed that it would be better to hold onto the talent than to risk losing it. The lord was not happy with this explanation and responded:

Matthew 25:26-30 

26 ….Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Why did the lord respond this way? The servant was only trying to ensure that he took good care of what was given to him and not lose it. But that was not the point. The lord did not give him the talent to simply maintain it—he could have done that himself.

The lord gave this man a single talent because he wanted him to cultivate it and increase his gain. At the very least He wanted the servant to try--even if he gained nothing. This is why the lord called him “slothful” and an “unprofitable servant.” The point of the servant receiving this talent was cultivate it and provide and effort to make a profit, not just sit on it. But the servant did not even try. Instead, he gave way to his fears rather than exercising faith in the trust the lord placed in him. The same sometimes holds true in our own lives. 

Applying It To Our Own Lives

What I love about this story is that the money is called “talents.” It provides an easy comparison to our own lives. How is this story true for you? How many of us have God-given talents or opportunities that we ignore, hide, bury, pass-by, forget, neglect or do not take the time to discover?

God has given unique talents and opportunities to each of us personally. What have we done with them? Have we been profitable with our talents? If one talent came to a dead end after a sincere effort, did we just give up on it or refuse to put our efforts into other talents? Not just temporally, but also mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We should use our talents to increase both the quality and quantity of each. All of us hold different talents and play a unique and equally important role in God’s comprehensive plan of happiness.

1 Corinthians 12:12 

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

As we move forward into this New Year and think of resolutions for ourselves, reflect on those talents, gifts and blessings that God has already given you and use them for your benefit, for the benefit of others, and for God.

Have a very happy New Year!