By the time you read this, you may have already opened a gift or two with your family or friends. Or you might wait until midnight tonight to tear into the wrapping paper. Or perhaps your family is a dyed-in-the-wool-only-open-presents-on-Christmas-morning crew.
Regardless of how you open your physical gifts this holiday season, I’d like to encourage you to count your spiritual gifts as some of the best you can give – and receive – no matter the time of year.
The Bible is replete with examples of how what spiritual gifts are and how we are to use them.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
“We each have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
I Peter 4:10 (NIV)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this word, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
I Corinthians 13:13 (NASB)
“But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
My prayer for you this holiday season is that you will count your spiritual gifts.
Be encouraged.