https://odb.org/2025/07/25/god-given-gifts
1 Peter 4:7–11 (NIV): 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides so that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
As believers in Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts, in addition to our natural abilities, for us to serve others and build up the church. Peter divides these gifts into speaking and serving gifts (see 1 Peter 4:11 above). In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists nine gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, and tongues interpretation verses 8-10). He lists additional gifts elsewhere (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11).
Thus, practically, we will all be equipped by God’s grace, on top of our natural abilities, to serve the brethren and build up the church, wherever we are worshipping. That is also why we must make every effort to attend services on site and join a congregation. Worshipping online in isolation from the body of Christ is self-serving as our physical attendance itself is an encouragement that is a form of service to the body of Christ. There is no point getting saved if we practice our faith within the four walls of our room, unless, of course, if we live in a closed country. If we are not in the latter situation, we must join a church and be part of a community of believers to serve and build up the spiritual lives of each other.
I have been serving in music since my teens. In fact, my repertoire comprises mainly church songs. As much as I play both acoustic and bass guitars, my musical abilities are not much of use outside the context of church services. I only know a few pop songs, and they are so old that the younger generation may not even have heard! Do I wish I had learned some good non-church songs so I can show off some nice riffs? I actually do wish so. Haha. But it doesn’t matter to me because I learned to play the guitar to serve the needs of the church then that worshipped only in a capella, and perhaps God had always wanted me to be good at only church songs so I may serve Him this way for the rest of my life!
Whatever spiritual gifts we are given and whatever natural abilities we have, and that includes administration and book-keeping skills and counselling and listening skills, use it to serve others in the body to build up the church. Be happy so long as God is happy, even if our skills may only be useful in church!
Ronnie's Thoughts 