Tom Cannon

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, ‘When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Ephesians 4:1-17 (KJV)

The answer to the question, “What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?” is more complex than you might think. According to scripture, there are numerous reasons why God gives spiritual gifts to us.

Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). Therefore, with every bestowed gift comes the responsibility to use the gift fully, and well, for the glory of God. When we understand that the gifts of God, give us something to contribute to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God, it will transform the way we live, for only through the fulfillment of our divine call, will we begin living as people with a mission, a plan and a purpose for our lives.

The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts:

1) For Christian Service (Work of the Lord).

Although it shouldn’t be surprising, some people are quite shocked to discover that the “work of God” actually involves WORK. Too many people think the ‘work of the Lord’ goes no further than public ministry. And even then, they don’t understand how much effort – behind the scenes – goes into making our services, and churches, run smoothly.

You must understand, that while Christian service may seem glamorous, when the lights are on, and the music is playing; public ministry involves more work than you realize, and that public ministry is not the only work that needs to be done in the church.

Did you notice, that volunteers for public ministry are seldom in short supply, but locating sufficient, gifted workers for behind-the-scenes ministries can be an extremely difficult task.

Now don’t take me wrong, I am not disparaging those who minister publicly. I am very thankful that they have heard the call, and obediently responded to it. What I am saying, however, is that people with gifts that God intended for use in the trenches, also need to wake up, hear the call, and see the need for ministry in the areas they are called to labor.

It is not wrong to want to use your gift, the way God intended – even if it is used in a public forum. But it is wrong if you fail to use your gift, because ‘its not the kind of gift you wanted God to give you,’ or ‘you don’t like ministering in anonymity.’

Certainly, some ministries are more appealing than others, at least, on the surface. But you’ll be surprised how personally rewarding any ministry can be, if you allow God to breath Himself into your gifting, and take it to a whole new level. When you allow God to flow through your gifting, you will be amazed at what a difference it will make in your outlook, and your effectiveness in that ministry.

2) For the ‘Common Good.’

The Apostle Paul teaches us this truth, in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Never, ever, ever … are the gifts to be used to further our agenda, to stoke our ego, or to build a reputation for ourselves in the Body of Christ.

Every gift, talent, and supernatural ability that is given by God, is given for the furtherance of the Gospel, and the betterment of the church. Gifts are never about YOU. Although you will be rewarded by using your gifts for the benefit of others; the intent of every gift must be outward, never inward. If we focus our gifts upon us, to advance our ministry, calling, or agenda, they will benefit nobody else. But when we use them to help grow other people, and cause the church to abound in Christ, we too will be benefitted by their use. Self-centeredness always limits or restricts our effectiveness, but when you give yourself, and your gifts away, everyone is benefitted, including yourself.

3) For The Perfecting of the Saints

Many of the spiritual gifts have to do with perfecting (maturing) the Body of Christ. Such gifts include, but are not limited to: discernment, administration, apostolic, prophetic, pastoring, evangelism and teaching.

These gifts are vitally important for promoting the overall health of the church, and maturing every member. Too many believers are doing nearly nothing to help reach the lost, or advance the kingdom of God. This stems from a lack of maturity (perfection). When children are young, they are incapable of contributing to the family unit. But as they grow, their abilities, knowledge and skills increase, and they can assist with house chores, yard work, and small tasks that help take the load of responsibility off the parents.

In the church, the same rule applies. The spiritual children can be excused from contributing to the work of the Lord when they are babes, but after a very short time (months=maximum), we should be looking for ways to incorporate new believers into ministry, programs, and outreach efforts.

That’s the purpose of gifts. They are given by God to help believers mature (become perfected), and help others.

4) “Unto the Measure of the Stature of the Fullness of Christ”

Collectively, our individual gifts should bring us into a closer likeness of the Son, by revealing Him more completely to us, in us, and through us, than we could expect to experience alone.

C. Peter Wagner explains it this way, [vi]“The key to coming to practical terms with the will of God for our lives involves, first of all, not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (Rom. 12:3). In other words, there is no room for pride.

But the other side of the same coin is to “think soberly” (v.3) of ourselves. This obviously means that each of us needs a realistic self-evaluation as a starting point for doing the good and effective, perfect will of God.”

Remember, no individual possesses every gift, so we need each other to grow, and to discover Christ in a greater way. As each one adds their part, there is greater revelation, understanding, knowledge, teaching, and wisdom. And through the increased expression of the gifts, He is lifted up, and we (along with others) are drawn closer to Him, to become more like Him.

If we want the Lord to be revealed in our lives, in a greater way, we must pray that God will help us discover and develop our spiritual gifts.

[vii]“5) To Edify the Church—Individually and Corporately

God gives us spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (I Corinthians 14:12), to build up the Body of Christ in love and unity, “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 4:11). As God distributes His gifts among His people, His power, love, and wisdom are displayed gloriously and the Body of Christ is edified. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (I Corinthians 12:7).

The Apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthian believers, clearly identifying edification of the Church as the main purpose for the manifestation of the gifts: “Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (I Corinthians 14:12; see also I Corinthians 14:3, 26, and Ephesians 4:10–16).

The spiritual gifts (motivational, ministry, and manifestation gifts) are God’s provision to equip His children to minister to others “in ways beyond mere human capability and ingenuity. It is a manifestation of the Divine Presence when an ordinary human suddenly is given illumination of unknown facts and wisdom how to meet a difficult problem, or can discern what is an evil spirit, or can believe for a miracle, or can administer healing to an incurable, or can speak forth a message from the Lord in his own language or in one he has never learned, or interpret an utterance given in an unknown language”[viii] (I Corinthians 12:7–11.)

The gifts of the Spirit are never an end in themselves. They are tools with which we can articulate the love of God to all men. They are not mysterious powers that can be bought or sold (see Acts 8:9–24); the gifts are bestowed upon God’s children by their Father, at His discretion, and for His glory. “All these [gifts] are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (I Corinthians 12:11, [ix]ESV).”

[x]“6) To Reveal the Living God to Unbelievers

The Spirit of God works through the spiritual gifts in ways that can be perceived by both believers and unbelievers. Believers are encouraged through the manifestation of the spiritual gifts because they are reminded that God truly is near and is actively, diligently, carefully, and thoroughly carrying out His will in the earth. Unbelievers come face to face with the reality of the living God as He displays His power, His love, and His wisdom through His people. (See I Corinthians 14:1–40.)

In his letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul explained one way that the spiritual gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy can be manifested as tools of evangelism: “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth” (I Corinthians 14:22–25).”

7) To Glorify God

The ultimate purpose of every gift must be to glorify God. In everything we do, and say, our goal should be to glorify the Lord. And that principle doesn’t just include time spent in organizing or participating in church programs, or ministries, either. In all of our daily activities – work, play or school – we need to actively seek to glorify Him.

Your life cannot be separated into two individual roles – spiritual and natural. That’s the problem we have in the church now; there are too many people trying to be one kind of person at church, and yet another everywhere else. That is called hypocrisy, and God despises it.

According to the Word, there is only one way to live – we must consistently strive to be holy, righteous, and completely sold out to Jesus – all the time. Anything else brings dishonor to His name, and shame upon the church. Jesus called us out of the world, “into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9), to live sanctified (set apart) lives, “holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). As we live our lives in accordance with His will, and His Word, we bring glory to Him, and as a result, people will be drawn to Him.

Use your gift wisely – to give all of the glory and honor to God. And don’t hold anything back from Him. As you learn to give it all up, He will use you in an even greater way.

(Excerpt from ‘Got Gifts?’ by Tom Cannon. Available through the TomCannon.org bookstore, or at Amazon.com, BN.com, and other booksellers. Booksellers – please contact our distributor: STL Distribution for discounted sales. Thank you)