BELIEVERS need spiritual gifts to serve God acceptably, the church profitably and the world properly. But first, identify your gift (1Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 6:9,10). We should identify our particular gifts because there are many others. A defining grace accompanies the gift and makes us use it profitably. Apostle Paul testified: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain.” The combination of gift and grace with the training we have, make us “do good” in the sight of God to His church and the people of the world.

Secondly, you should improve the gift (Romans 12:6; 2 Timothy 1:6). We must not allow our gifts to lie dormant. Rather, we should make use of it through proportionate faith (Luke 17:5). The more we use it, the more it increases. As our faith increases, its usability also increases. We must exercise, concentrate and improve on our gifts in ministering (Romans 12:7; Acts 6:4), teaching (Romans 12:7; Proverbs 9:9), exhortation (Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:13), giving (Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6,7), administration (Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:7,17,24) and showing mercy (Romans 12:8).

Thirdly, make impact with your gift (Romans 12:6). As believers, we should positively impact other people with our gifts. We must make use of our gifts judiciously and be a bridge and not a barrier, a doorway in and not a back door out, a help and not a hindrance, a stepping-stone and not a stumbling block, a builder and not a destroyer.
As saints in the world, doing good must be our second nature. There must be no dissimulation (pretence), slothfulness, selfishness, cursing, pride, self-exaltation, retaliation, wrath or anger in our service or while making use of our gifts. We must be kind, loving, patient, hospitable and fervent in our service to God and humanity. We should be willing to do whatever will make the Christian life enjoyable to people and be thoughtful, humble, peaceable, self-forgetting and cheerful while serving others.

We must not discriminate in using our gifts; rather, we should contribute something profitable to everyone. And as we do these things, the Lord will reward us bountifully. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

• Further reading (King James version): Romans 12:1; Psalm 104:14. Romans 12:1,2; 2 Timothy 2:19,21; John 12:24-26; Luke 1:74,75; Hebrews 12:28. Romans 12:6-8. Romans 12:17-21; Genesis 50:15,19,20; Exodus 32:9-14; Psalm 35:11-14; 2 Corinthians 12:15; Revelation 22:12-14.