Spiritual gifts are to be used for the good of others. In one sense, natural talent is a self-centered blessing. Gifted runners, math whizzes, or singers with perfect pitch may use their talents to bring glory and riches to themselves.
Spiritual gifts, on the other hand, are not to be used for personal gain, acquiring wealth, or amassing power. According to 1 Peter 4:10, people are to use their gifts to serve others and build up the Body of Christ. God graced the church of Corinth with every available gift. The Apostle Paul reminded them that they were “not lacking in any gift,” and yet they suffered from divisions and quarrels. “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed, you still are not ready. You are still worldly.” As a community, the church of Corinth was more interested in boasting about its spiritual powers and who it followed than in serving one another.
Most Christians have two or three gifts in which they operate fluently. Some may have four, five, or six. But no one has all the gifts. God’s goal is to bring people together, not divide them, so he makes everyone dependent on each other. You may wish for more gifts or different gifts, but God’s will demands that people submit to one another as necessary.
My brother has the gift of discernment, so I always go to him when I need to make important decisions. I embrace his gift. The good news is that everyone has some spiritual gift. Jesus said, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.’ So if you’re a new person in Christ, then you’ve received special power and at least one spiritual gift.