How do you know what gift you have, and how do you exercise it?

Sincerely,
Ready To Work

Dear Ready To Work,

God used to give certain people spiritual gifts (i.e. the ability to speak in different languages, heal the sick, prophesy, etc.), but those days are over.  Read “Gifts That Stop Giving” for details on the cessation of spiritual gifts.

However, the Bible tells us that we each also have natural gifts and talents given to us by the Lord.  Some people are natural givers, others natural leaders, still others natural teachers, and so on (Rom 12:4-8).  We are told that we must use what talents God gives us if we wish to please Him.  Christ’s parable of the talents is a good example of this principle (Matt 25:14-30).  There is no way to find what you are good at unless you simply start to work.  When we put our hand to the plow, we will find our niche in the Lord’s work.  Just start working, and your talents will naturally begin to shine.

Is it a sin to play Blackjack if I am skilled enough to hold an edge over the house?

Sincerely,
High Roller

Dear High Roller,

The Bible never specifically mentions gambling as a sin, but it doesn’t have to be specifically mentioned to be wrong.  There are a great many things surrounding gambling that are sinful.  Consider that:

1. Gambling focuses around money and greed.  God warns us clearly about being fixated with money (1 Tim 6:10, Heb 13:5).  God wants us to be satisfied with our income (Eccl 5:10).  Contentment is a major component of spiritual maturity (1 Tim 6:6).
2. Gambling is used as a means to gain money without working for it.  God finds pleasure in people working for their livelihood (2 Thess 3:10-12, Pr 10:4).
3. Gambling wastes money because, ultimately, the house does always win.  God expects us to be good stewards (1 Cor 4:2) and save for the future (Pr 6:6-8).
4. Gambling and the places where gambling occurs are often associated with other sinful things.  There is a reason Las Vegas is called “Sin City”.  That industry is not one that a christian should be supporting (2 Cor 6:16-17).

Gambling is addictive.  We can only have one master (Lk 16:13).

What is the significance of a name change in the Bible?

Sincerely,
What’s In A Name?

Dear What’s In A Name,

The significance depends upon the circumstance.  When Saul's name was changed to Paul, we aren't told any reason for the change – as far as we know, it was simply a change from a name with Jewish origins to a name with Greek roots.  However, when Simon was called Peter, we are told Jesus specifically picked that name for him (Jhn 1:42) – Peter means 'rock, boulder'... so Jesus was saying something about the type of man that Peter was.  That context gives the name change greater meaning.

Probably the most significant name change in the Bible is the one that God did with Abram.  God changed Abram's name to Abraham.  Abraham means "father of a multitude" (Gen 17:5).  God changed his name to signify that Abraham would become the father of many nations.

In all name changes found in the Bible, it always comes down to the context to define the significance of the alteration.

Could I fast from something other than food?  For example, if I'm a person who likes to drink juice, and I fast from it and drink water, is that still considered a fast?

Sincerely,
Doing Without

Dear Doing Without,

The word ‘fast’ means ‘to not eat’.  The Greek word is formed by adding a negative to the front of the word ‘eat’.  It is very similar to how English words are turned into negatives by adding ‘anti’ to the front (as in ‘antigravity’ or ‘antibacterial’).  There are no specific examples in the Bible of someone fasting by simply removing a specific type of food from their diet, but having said that – the word ‘fast’ can be used in that way.  Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, which is considered to be the definitive study tool for Bible Greek, defines the word ‘fast’ as ‘to abstain as a religious exercise from food and drink: either entirely, if the fast lasted but a single day, or from customary and choice nourishment, if it continued several days’.  According to that definition, abstaining from juice would be a form of fasting.

What are feelings, where do they come from, and what is their purpose?

Sincerely,
Full Of Emotion

Dear Full Of Emotion,

Feelings are a gift from God, and they are part of what makes us made in His image (Gen 1:27).  God has emotions, just like humans do… or rather, humans have emotions, just like God does.  God gets angry (2 Sam 6:7).  God can be jealous (Ex 34:14).  God has times of sadness and grief (Gen 6:6).  God can also have great joy (Lk 15:10).  Our emotions are just like God’s – except we have sin in our lives and immaturity in our hearts.  When God angers, He never acts inappropriately… but we do.  Humans don’t always show proper control of our feelings, and instead, we let them control us.  Feelings can be a wonderful blessing (life would be bland without them), but they are only a blessing if we guard our hearts with the truth (Pr 4:23).