Less than two months ago, most of us, if not all of us, were busy checking off our Christmas list ensuring that the proper gift was bought for the correct people. Some of us take more time to pick the gift that best suits the recipient. Some of us are content with just a simple gift. Chances are that all of us want the gift to be used. The gift could be a sweater for the winter, a toy or gadget for the kids (or kids at heart!), a new book, or a gift card to a restaurant. The hope of the giver is for the recipient to use the gift: the sweater is to be worn, the toy to be played with, the book to be read, the gift card to be spent. The giver believes that when the gift is used, it would bring the recipient joy, pleasure, or benefit. But it also brings the giver great satisfaction.

Romans 12:6a says, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” Each one of us, by God’s grace, has been given a certain gift. It may not be monetary. It might not be spectacular. And sometimes, it may be a gift that others have. However, that specific gift God has bestowed on you is not to be kept hidden and forgotten in a closet. It is to be used freely, openly, and abundantly. That is what Romans 12:6a is teaching us.

While the gifts may differ, we are to exercise each and every one constantly. Some are given the gift of teaching in front of a crowd. Some are blessed with the ability to create wealth. Some are given the propensity to build strong interpersonal relationships. Some can gather groups of people, build a vision, and move the group towards that vision. Some are given the ability to build physical buildings well. Some are incredibly gifted with the ability to encourage people. And there are so many other gifts that I am unable to list them all here. The point remains that the gifts are given accordingly. And while one may be seemingly more visible or dramatic than another, every one of them is to be used. Frequently. Freely. For His glory.

The benefits of using your gifts are so vast. God intends it for our good. But certainly, for His glory! He has equipped us to be used by Him for the greater progress of the gospel. All that we have in our hands are to be held in an open palm for Him to utilize at any point. When that happens, we get to experience deep joy in our heart, tremendous pleasure in serving the King, and a sense of usefulness in the benefit of the Church.

While these are good personally, we sometimes forget how much it blesses the body of Christ. As each of us use our gifts to serve the body of Christ, it brings the Lord joy that He has graced His children with such diverse gifts. It makes the body healthy and better equipped to minister His grace upon others. This is how the gospel progresses into the spiritual darkness of this world. Your gift is not insignificant. It must be used.

We are reminded of this annually around Christmastime when we hear the “Little Drummer Boy” over the radio waves:

I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,

I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum,

Me and my drum, me and my drum, me and my drum, me and my drum.

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