God-Given Gifts 不同的恩赐

[Dexu Xia]

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6

Decades ago, I went to a college retreat where everyone was talking about a personality test. “I’m an ISTJ!” one said. “I’m an ENFP,” another chirped. I was mystified. “I’m an ABCXYZ,” I joked.  

Since then, I’ve learned a lot about that test (the Myers-Briggs) and others such as the DiSC assessment. I find them fascinating because they can help us understand ourselves and others in helpful, revealing ways—shedding light on our preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Provided we don’t overuse them, they can be a useful tool God uses to help us grow.

Scripture doesn’t offer us personality tests. But it does affirm each person’s uniqueness in God’s eyes (see Psalm 139:14-16; Jeremiah 1:5), and it shows us how God equips all of us with a unique personality and unique gifts to serve others in His kingdom. In Romans 12:6, Paul begins to unpack this idea, when he says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

Those gifts, Paul explains, are not for us alone but for the purpose of serving God’s people, Christ’s body (v. 5). They’re an expression of His grace and goodness, working in and through all of us. They invite each of us to be a unique vessel in God’s service.

By:  Adam Holz

What gifts has God given you to serve others? If you’re not sure what your gifts are, who might help you get a better sense of those God-given gifts?

Father, thank You for the gifts You’ve given me. Please help me to embrace the ways You’ve equipped me to love and serve others in Your kingdom.

照着所赐给我们的恩典，我们各有不同的恩赐。—罗马书12章6节，新译本

几十年前，我参加了一个大学生的退修会，当时大家都兴致勃勃地谈论性格测试。有人说：“我是ISTJ型。”另一个接着说：“我是ENFP型。”我大惑不解，开玩笑地说：“我是ABCXYZ型。”

从那时候开始，我学到了许多有关他们所提到的MBTI测试，以及其他各种性格测试。我觉得这些测试相当有趣，因为它们让人以有益与启发的方式，知道自己的喜好、长处与弱点，帮助人了解自己与他人。这些测试只要不被过度使用，便能成为上帝帮助你我成长的有用工具。

圣经没有为我们提供性格测试，但却清楚指出在上帝眼中，每个人都是独一无二的（见诗篇139篇14-16节；耶利米书1章5节）。圣经也向我们显明，上帝让我们每一个人具备独特的性格，以及独特的恩赐，可以去服事祂国度里的其他人。在罗马书12章6节，保罗开始阐述这个观点，他说：“照着所赐给我们的恩典，我们各有不同的恩赐。”（新译本）

保罗也解释说，那些恩赐并不是单为我们自己，而是为着服事上帝的子民、基督的身体（5节）。这些恩赐显明了上帝在我们每个人身上的恩典与美善的工作，使我们可以成为独一无二的器皿来事奉上帝。

作者：  何安德

上帝给你什么恩赐去服事人？
若你不确定自己有什么恩赐，
谁可以帮助你了解？

天父，谢谢祢赋予我恩赐。
请帮助我接受祢所赐的装备，
让我能在祢的国度里爱人、服事人。