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Only those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ receive spiritual gifts.
Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such people really do not understand them; they are nonsense to them, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:14 (TEV)
Every Christian has at least one gift.
But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. ~ 1 Corinthians 7:7 (ESV)
No Christian receives every gift.
All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! ~1 Corinthians 12:27-30 (NLT)
Spiritual gifts cannot be earned.
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. ~ Ephesians 4:7 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit decides who receives what gifts.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)
Spiritual gifts given to believers are never taken away.
God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them. ~ Romans 11:29 (NCV)
Christians are to develop the gifts God has given them.
Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the elders laid their hands on you. ~ 1 Timothy 4:14 (TEV)
It is the Christian's responsibility to use the gifts he/she has received.
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 4:1,2
Using my gifts glorifies God and helps me grow more like Christ.
My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples. ~ John 15:8 (TEV)
The Parable of the Talents | one of Jesus' teachings on using your gifts
For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' ~ Matthew 25:14-30
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