1 Corinthians 12 is a good chapter for this. Ap. Paul talks about how through the Holy Spirit we are given special abilities – wisdom, prophecy, etc.
1 Cor 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith [d]by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of [e]healing [f]by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the [g]effecting of [h]miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the [i]distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
We believe that some of the gifts mentioned in the above passage, like the gift of speaking in tongues and of performing miracles were only given to that first generation of believers in order to make the Christian faith get a head start and spread to the nations.
Just like in the human body the various members have different functions, so also in the body of Christ we have different roles and abilities.
27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has [r]appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then [s]miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of [t]miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?
But the key verse I think is the last verse, vs. 31 : “31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.” What follows is the well-known 1 Cor. 13 chapter about love. So what Ap. Paul is saying is that though we have different gifts, we all must have love. We could have all the gifts, but if don’t have love we are empty and can’t be useful to God.
Another passage from Rom. 12 is also similar:
Rom. 12: 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, [f]according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if [g]service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with [h]liberality; he who [i]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
An additional point of great importance is that we should use the abilities we have to serve others to the glory of God, and not for selfish purposes:
1 Pet. 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
This then is how I would answer your question – that the gifts God gives us are different abilities to serve others – we must identify what these are and use them faithfully according to His word.
