While every person is born with a natural talent, only believers have spiritual gifts. Whether with talents or spiritual gifts, believers are called to glorify God and use these gifts and talents to edify others.
Talents are abilities that everyone is born with. A person can be a good athlete, craftsman, musician, artist, writer, or mathematician. These are natural talents. They still need to be developed, but they come naturally to people. We can glorify God with our talents, but talents can also be things we enjoy for ourselves. For example, an excellent reader can enjoy reading and just read for enjoyment or they can read and glorify God by thanking Him for the gift, using what they learn to teach others, or share in community the love of reading.
Spiritual gifts, on the other hand, are purposely given to edify the church and glorify God. While natural talents and spiritual gifts are often related, spiritual gifts are different in that they are given and empowered by the Holy Spirit to believers to strengthen the church and to be used in conjunction with the gifts of other believers. Spiritual gifts include preaching, teaching, administration, hospitality, giving, and service. First Corinthians 12—14, Romans 12, Ephesians 4:11-16, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 all address spiritual abilities in a special way separate from natural talents. These gifts can combine with our talents and are to be used for the benefit of the church and the glory of God.
Natural talents and spiritual gifts are closely related. A believer with a musical talent may also have the spiritual gift of encouragement and can use music to encourage and inspire people to grow closer to the Lord. A person who is a talented organizer may also be a Christian who has the gift of leadership and can oversee Christian activities in a way that grows believers and reaches unbelievers.Both natural talents and abilities given by God can and should be used to honor God. First Corinthians 10:31 notes, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." The ability to cook, sing, build houses, farm, teach children, work in engineering, serve in medical fields, and other talents are all God-given abilities that can be used to honor Him. While unbelievers can use these abilities for good, believers in Christ are further called to use these abilities, along with spiritual gifts, for the glory of God and to serve others. Seeking our spiritual gifts through prayer, reflection, asking for others’ wisdom in what they see in our lives as gifts and talents, and study (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7) helps us discover how to contribute to the body of Christ and use our gifts and talents for God’s glory and others’ good.