Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Summary: Paul’s instruction in this verse is quite simple and straightforward.
Have you ever neglected a gift?
When I was a child, I was given a gift of special watercolor paints. It was a complete set of paints in small metal tubes. Much more sophisticated than the kits that kids normally get. You know the kind, hard blocks of paint that you wet with a brush. Tube paint is special.
In fact, it was so special that I neglected to use it. I was afraid that the tiny tubes of paint would get used up too quickly, so I carefully preserved the gift, but didn’t use it.
Perhaps you are wondering why I would remember such a thing? Because I found the paint kit just the other day. Decades old now, perhaps not even usable. I neglected the gift!
Timothy was given a gift, too. A very precious gift from God.
Paul says it was “given … through prophecy.”
Interesting!
A prophet is “one through whom God speaks.”* A prophecy, then, represents a communication from God.
So what kind of “gift” would be conveyed by a prophecy from God?
It certainly wasn’t a watercolor paint set! Most “gifts” we think of represent a material thing of some kind. Fortunately, looking at the original Greek answers this question for us.
The Greek word Paul used in his letter to Timothy was “charisma.” Yes — the same root word we get “charismatic” from. Charisma is a spiritual gift. We cannot buy it with money, but apparently, we can ignore it if we choose.
Paul is encouraging Timothy to use his charisma. I can almost hear the thoughts behind Paul’s words:
Timothy, use the enthusiasm for Jesus that God gave you! Don’t let it languish!
Use your passion for serving God to inspire others!
Use the gift of reflecting God’s grace to motivate those around you to serve God faithfully.
Much of Paul’s letter to Timothy is focused on the problems all leaders face when they are trying to lead others. It would be easy to get lost in the technical aspects of leadership and forget that what is important is the passion for Jesus that God places in our hearts.
Application: Take your gifts out of the closet and put them to use.
Food for Thought: What other kinds of gifts might the Father give his children?
*”G4396 – prophētēs – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 2 Jun, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4396/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
What other kinds of gifts might the Father give his children?
Really everything about our life, our abilities, and our talents are a gift from God. But to say it like that kind of glosses over everything and may diminish the importance of what He has really given us. So I believe it is good to “count” them in gratitude.
Grace and Salvation:
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
The Holy Spirit:
Luke 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Wisdom:
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Ministries and Talents:
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Romans 12:6-8
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Wisdom:
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Peace:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Provision:
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Chris,
Thank you! That is quite a list! It is humbling to look at the riches God provides to all who turn to him.
What other kinds of gifts might the Father give his children?
As believers we have become eternal beings, living at Peace with God, with a deep burning desire to share what we have been freely given with others.
Romans 12:1, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
1 Peter 4:10, As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
We have each been watched over and formed in our mother’s womb by God. Born as unique individuals, molded by God to effectively serve His purposes in this world for the period of time, predetermined by God prior to the foundation of this world.
Gifts from God are given to believers according to His will which enable each to effectively minister to our sphere of influence here on earth.
With joyful hearts, focusing on Gods presence in our lives, we rise each morning, thankful for another day and alert to opportunities to lovingly reach out to others. Stay alert and stay engaged with those brought into our lives by God.
Thank you, Ron.
I love your point about us being unique individuals. It is like each of us are a specialized tool in God’s “toolbox.” 🙂