I have been doing a lot of study think week on the topic of Spiritual Gifts. I’m writing a curriculum series for our LifeGroups based on the 8 Characteristics of a Growing Disciple. “Serving in Giftedness” is the fourth on the list, but I’m tackling it first because we have a LifeGroup going through this topic now (so I’m “piggybacking” on their series).

The more I study and read on the topic (more blogging to come on that) the more I realize how wrong we get it sometimes. Our focus is just off. We focus too much on our “gifting” and not enough on our “using”. As part of my study my entire paradigm regarding spiritual gifts has changed (more to come on that as well).

This morning I realized that our 35th President had it right in his Inaugural Speech on January 20, 1961. You’ve probably heard the part I’m referring to many times. You can see and hear it here…

In case you can’t read or listen, here’s what he said that’s so important…

“Ask not what your country can do for you.
Ask what you can do for your country.”

It’s the same in the church. He had it right. It applies to spiritual gifts. It applies to our motivation to be a part of a church in general. Let me “paraphrase” it this way…

“Ask not what your church can do for you.
Ask what you can do for your church.”

Or maybe even better yet…

“Ask not what the people in your church can do for you.
Ask what you can do for the people in your church.”

We’re supposed to be about serving and loving others. It’s what we’re supposed to do with our gifts, talents, and passions. It’s how the church works. It’s how we work.

Like I said, JFK had it right.