Gifts, though some are only on loan (7)
I believe the answer is:
talents
'gifts' is the definition.
('talent' can be a synonym of 'gift')
'some are only on loan' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'some' could be 'a' and 'a' is located in the answer.
'are' could be 'lent' (lending is a kind of being) and 'lent' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'though' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for talents that I've seen before include "Skills" , "Natural aptitudes" , "Special aptitudes" , "endowments" , "Last ten (anag.)" .)