Spiritual Gifts

Because work is a spiritual matter, "giftedness" is NOT confined to so-called "spiritual gifts" only. Although these gifts of the Holy Spirit (e.g., meekness, gentleness, kindness, etc.) are part of God's total package of giftedness for ministry, they are not the only gifts God hands out to God's people.  In this way of thinking, it is limiting and short-sighted to assay or survey "spiritual gifts" if they do not also include all the giftedness that God offers.  Thus it is not right to name "singing in the choir" as a spiritual gift and to overlook "teaching children in my classroom to sing with delight." It is not correct to think as "spiritual" the capacity to volunteer in a blood bank operated by the local congregation and ignore volunteering — or working! — in a blood bank operated by a local charity or health organization.

When congregations survey or audit the complete giftedness of their lives — or offer opportunity for their members to do the same — they are offering a truly-spiritual service to their members, and can consider themselves truly thankful for all of God's blessings.