Spiritual gifts are not excuses

Spiritual gifts are essential tools God gives us, his people, in order to fulfill his Kingdom mission. We each need to be instructed in the nature of use of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1) A spiritual gift is a special ability God gives to Christ-follower for the purpose of service. They are different from the fruit of the Sprit (which are character traits). List of gifts can be found in 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and elsewhere.
One of the truths about gifts that I don’t often hear taught is that they are amplification of common Christian traits.
For example, some people have the gift of helps. They love to work behind the scenes to help others in practical ways. While not every believer will have this gift, we are all to pitch in and help when the occasion requires it.
We are all called, for instance, to share our faith. But some are uniquely gifted so that people come to Christ more frequently when they share their faith. They have the gift of evangelism.
Even those with the same gift will have it in different proportions. One evangelist may be effective in leading hundreds to Christ, while someone like Billy Graham leads millions.
Spiritual gifts are not a “have it or you don’t” proposition — it is a matter of proportion.
Unless we understand this, our spiritual growth will be stunted as we shrink back from basic Christian ministry in the name of giftedness.  ” I can’t talk to that person about Jesus, I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” Or, “I can’t pray for that person to be healed because I don’t have the gift of healing.” Minister as the occasion requires, but spend more of your time in areas you are most gifted.
Spiritual gifts are not given by God to limit how we respond to needs. They simply add to the strength of the Church as those with extra abilities use their gifts as tools for the upbuilding of the Kingdom.