1 Corinthians 12:1
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."
One of the reasons that every person is important to their church is because God has given them a gift that is unique to them to be a help to their church. Paul addressed the subject of spiritual gifts in the church of Corinth. This church was using their spiritual gifts in the wrong manner. God wanted them to take their spiritual gifts and use them wisely so that they could get the greatest returns from them. There were five obvious things that were addressed about spiritual gifts that will help you to use your spiritual gift wisely.
First, everyone has a gift. Just because you have a gift does not make you better than someone else, and just because someone else has a gift that you do not have does not make them better than you. You must realize that God gives each of us gifts, and it is important that we identify what our gift is so that we can use it to honor and serve God. It is also important to understand that we don't use our gifts as a competition, for that will only cause division and strife in the church.
Second, your gift is magnified by the Spirit of God. You will notice in this chapter that the gifts were given "by the Spirit." In other words, if the Holy Spirit gave you a gift, then the only way that gift will be used to its fullest potential is if you are filled with the Spirit. Always remember that you are a tool in the hand of God, and His Spirit gave you the gift so that He could use you for a specific task that no one else could do. You need the Holy Spirit's power in your life if your gift is going to be magnified.
Third, your gift is to help the church body. God made it very clear that your gift was to help the body. What is the body? The body is the church. God didn't give you a gift to use for the world, but He gave you your gift to help the church body. Don't let the Devil enjoy the fruits of a gift that he had no part in giving. Take your gift and use it for the LORD so that your church can profit from it.
Fourth, your gift signifies that you have a weakness. As strong as you are in the area of your gift means that you still have some weaknesses in your Christian life. Don't become a Christian who is disproportionate. Learn where your weaknesses are and strengthen them. Your spiritual gift will become stronger when you strengthen your weaknesses. This is why it is important for you to be a balanced Christian, because when you're balanced your gift is not hampered by your weaknesses.
Fifth, your gift is weak without the love of Christ. He says in verse 31, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." The "more excellent way" is the next chapter where God talks about having charity. Friend, it is the love of Christ that makes your gift a help to those in need. Your spiritual gift is wasted if you don't have Christ's love abiding in your heart. When you let the love of Christ work through you, then your spiritual gift will fulfill the purpose for which it was given to you.
What is your spiritual gift? Let me encourage you to let these five areas help you to use your spiritual gift to fulfill the purpose of why God gave it to you. Your spiritual gift can destroy you, or it can literally be the tool that God uses to help you reach your greatest potential.