The Bible informs us that God gives us gifts - just as our parents have done. Of course, God only gives good gifts. Paul lists a whole group of gifts in his letter to the Corinthians (I Cor. 12:8-10). There are recorded incidents where God actually filled a human being with something very special. Samson was such a one (Judges 14:19). He had incredible strength - far more that human muscles can provide. Daniel was able to stand among starving lions and receive no more than a lick or two. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were able to stand in a fiery furnace and not even get singed. Philip could fly (Acts 8:39). Peter could heal people simply by walking along in the sunshine and letting his shadow fall on the sick (Acts 5:15). Paul sent anointed cloths and the sick were healed (Acts 19:12). Some were given gifts of prophecy (I Cor. 12:10) and others gifts of speaking in languages. All of these gifts that are sudden and seemingly "poured in" have a direct immediate purpose. None of them build character, nor do they make us like Jesus Christ. Some gifts were abused as in the cases of Samson's gift of strength (though God used all of this for an occasion against the Philistine), and at Corinth there was a huge struggle with those who flaunted their gift of tongues (I Cor. 14:27,28).
God gives different kind of gifts and He gives those gifts in different ways. Some gifts develop slowly within the person along with character, some are laid out before us and God invites us to reach out and take and use those gifts. Gifts can also be taken away if we stray from God or abuse the gift. Some (like Simon Magus) recognized the value of a gift and offered to buy it (Acts 8:18). God's gifts are not for sale, but they are not simply thrown at us either.
Perhaps the most vital and important gift is that of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). If we possess this gift, we are under the grace and favor of God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son. Our sins have been forgiven, our names are written in His book of life and our future is secure for all eternity. However, when we stand back and have a look at this wonderful gift, we immediately realize that God expects a return. This gift is not simply permanently poured into us. We can lose this wonderful gift. The Bible tells us that we are to always stir up the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 1:6). We are to be sure we never quench it (I Thess. 5:19). Furthermore, abuse of this gift leads to its removal and with that removal, the loss of eternal life (Heb. 6:4-6).
God loves to give gifts to His children. He is loath to take those gifts back, but He does take them back when we fail to use them properly. God is vitally interested in the development of holy righteous character in His children. Gifts of prophecy or faith may fail, but the greatest quality that God seeks is Agape (I Cor. 13:13). That has everything to do with character. Without His character, we would abuse the gifts He gives including eternal life. God will not give eternal life with a spirit body that lives forever to someone whom He cannot entrust with their inheritance. That inheritance is much more than we can imagine, as it involves all that God has and all that He is. Our human minds simply cannot grasp the magnitude of that which He offers. However, just a little glimpse ought to motivate us to cling to Him with all of our heart and all our strength. It pleased God when Jacob wrestled all night and would not let go until God blessed him (Gen. 32:28).
The followers of Jesus Christ do seek some evidence that He is working in their lives. They search and search for some indication that a gift has been given. We are left with a little quandary. God wants to give us gifts, but we usually do not use them wisely. We also desperately want to believe that we have a gift, because that is the indication of His love and of our future in eternity. One concern we face is that in our need for the manifestation of His love, our minds can trick us into believing we have a special gift. We may have - let us be clear in understanding that, but if we flaunt any gift from God, then we are in danger of losing that gift. It is also possible that we actually do not have the gift, and yet believe we do.
From 1987 to 1992 my wife and I served in the German work. I spoke a little German as a boy, but could only read very poorly and did not write at all. I was painfully aware of this lack in me and mentioned that when I was asked to go to serve in Germany. I also had said that in serving God, I would go wherever I was sent. That lined my wife and I up for Germany. My wife did not speak a word of German - though she has a very fine mind and studied hard to understand the language. I look back in amazement at what I consider a special blessing and gift God gave me in the time I was serving in Germany. The gift of that language did not come overnight, but it did not take long before I was fluent in reading and my speaking became far better. Towards the end, I could give a sermon in German and English without an interpreter. I worried that members might be upset, but we often had English speaking visitors and unless we had a translator, they would not understand. I simply stated a sentence in German and then repeated it in English. Others who listened would tell me how amazed they were that I could do that. People who spoke both languages often commented on the fluidity of the sermon - and mentioned that they enjoyed the time to mull over what was said in one language while I gave the same in the other language. I can only repeat what members said to me. As for myself, I was on my knees often asking God to forgive me for not being a better minister of His and thanking Him for His mercy. I could read and write German just as well as I could English at the end of the five years. Was this a gift or a partial gift? I would answer yes, because I cannot do that today, but when it was needed, it was there. I may be wrong, and this is not "my" testimony to my need for evidence that God was with me, but I am every thankful and grateful for His gift while serving His people in Germany.
I find that most of the gifts from God that have lasting value are those that forge our character: His Holy Spirit to give us guidance, His Word to reveal His will and laws, His character being formed in us as Agape grows and develops. What becomes evident is that these precious gifts from God are not so much poured into us, as they are made available to us. We are to reach out and use these gifts. That is why Paul warned us not to quench the gift of the Holy Spirit but to stir it up. Our participation is demanded by God and that is important because only by our efforts to appreciate, reach out and use His gifts, can we grow in grace and knowledge. That is how the Holy Spirit grows in us and brings us to spiritual maturity (Eph. 2:21,22).
One danger we face is in insisting that we have a gift when we do not. Gifts such as discernment, wisdom, patience and faith are gifts we want, but these gifts are not made manifest until we are put to the test. Solomon was given such great promises from God (I Kings 3:12,13). How could he have become such a disaster? Towards the end of his life, there was no wisdom to be seen. He had 1000 wives, worshipped idols, had children who despised their own father, and lost the wonderful temple he was allowed to build as well as the kingdom he was given. The long life God promised was also cut short with his death at about 57 years of age.
God is the greatest giver of all. Let us appreciate His gifts and always remember that we cannot earn nor deserve what He gives. Staying humble is the key to staying gifted.