What gifts are described as being for all the faithful? (Who decides in which list it goes?)
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.”
Gifts in the context are (v2) various trials that produce patience and perfection, (v5) wisdom, (v9) low status, (v12) enduring temptation places one above the cares of life, (v12) the crown of life.
How do we determine if something is a “good and perfect gift,” or just something we like? Some invoke God’s blessing on “gifts” God did not promise, likely would never endorse, or perhaps would describe as sin.
Hebrews 6:4 – 5 The heavenly gift is parallel to enlightenment, partaking of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the powers of the age to come.
Ephesians 2:8 The faith economy is a gift
Romans 5:15 – 18 Gift of righteousness by grace results in justification
Romans 6:23 Gift of eternal life
2 Corinthians 9:15 The grace of God in us is a gift
1 Peter 4:10 – 11 Gift of service with the ability which God supplies
2 Corinthians 1:11 Gift of answered prayer
What gifts are described as being given differently to different people?
1 Corinthians 7:7 Being unmarried and content
Romans 12:3 – 8: As God has dealt to each a measure of faith: prophecy, serving, teaching, exhorting, sharing, leading, mercy.
Ephesians 4:7 – 16, Ephesians 3:7 Gift of church leadership with an expiration clause
Acts 8:20, 10:45, 11:17, 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4, 9, 28, 30, 31, 13:2, 14:1, 12, Romans 1:11 – 12 Spiritual gifts which, in their contexts, were for only certain people.
How does one know what specific gift(s) God has given to me?
How do we know if we are making claims without evidence or “desiring the greater gifts”? ( Luke 11:13)
Certainly, “He…sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). But the things called “gifts” appear to be specific to the faithful.
Unbelievers should be able to see that something greater than you did it (2 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Peter 3:9 – 11). If we have to tell them God did it, something went wrong.
What are my specific gifts?
If you could do it before you believed, it’s not a “gift” in the New Testament sense.
Did you ask for it? Is that a necessary step?
Does the proposed gift have an expiration clause? (g., “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers” and “wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, tongues, interpretation”)
Does it give you authority or responsibility? Just use it, don’t talk about it.