In our small group at church we looked at the concept of spiritual gifts this past week. One way to think of these gifts are other-focused talents given by the Holy Spirit upon accepting Christ. Spiritual gifts are discussed in several places in the New Testament, and it’s fascinating to think about how the Holy Spirit infuses believers with different gifts to benefit those around us.

Encouragement is one such gift. As we went around our group and discussed our gifts (we each took a spiritual gifts assessment the week prior), multiple hands shot up when I asked, who scored high on the gift of encouragement?

A bunch of encouragers—that’s a good group to hang with.

The writer of Hebrews, also an encourager, put it this way: Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

Those with this gift offer encouragement as easily as I reach for a second cupcake.

But those of us without this gift should still work to encourage others. I think this passage was specifically written for people like myself. I need to consider how to encourage others, to stop and think about it. Just because I’m not gifted doesn’t spare me the responsibility of spurring others on to love and good deeds.

Besides, no one minds a little encouragement, even from those of us without the gift.

Hebrews 10 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by krakenimages