Two Types of Gifts

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11

At the most basic of levels there are two ways to serve the church, the Body of Christ. Notice that these gifts are not ever for individual benefit, but rather function to "serve one another" in mutual ministry. This draws us away from our tendency toward selfish consumerism (church is about me insisting that I get what I want) and into participation and worship in a community where we love and care for each other (church is about God using me and others to build His work in us all through the gospel).

The first kind of gift that builds the church is a "speaking" kind of gift. It can be teaching, shepherding, encouraging, or admonishing others in large groups, small groups, or one-to-one. But when we speak to one another, we should speak God's Word. People who speak in the Body of Christ need to be biblically saturated and focused on ministering the truth and meaning of God's Word to one another. They focus on God through His Word. Functionally in terms of leadership, the church has elders who primarily administrate these speaking gifts and help others use speaking gifts for the glory of Christ.

There are also "serving" gifts mentioned here. These can include the work of official servants of the church, deacons, but also extend to serving through hospitality, administration of ministry, giving, and the gift of helps. Those who do these "tasks" in the church must also rely on God, serving not under compulsion or self-effort, but in the strength that God gives them. Both kinds of gifts (speaking and serving) lean fully on God and not natural human talent alone as both types of gifts are necessary to bless Christ's Church. Thank God that He chooses to bless each of us through all of us in the Body of Christ, using people around us to encourage us to be more like Jesus as we speak to and serve one another!