In the NIV, I Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
God has given each of us different talents, gifts, abilities, and passions. Each of our gift-sets are shaped uniquely to our personalities and backgrounds, and each is so important to the body of Christ. As 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, our gifts are to serve others. If we look up the word gift, it has two meanings. One is, “a natural ability or talent.” The other is, “a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.” The gifts (natural abilities or talents) that come from God are gifts (things you give willingly to someone without payment) and talents you give to your community through service.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 lets us know that there are a variety of gifts and that it is God who empowers us to operate in them. And this is comforting. The word gift lets us know that what we have been given is not for ourselves. God fuses our gifts and talents with His supernatural power. 1 Corinthians 12 goes on to say in verses 27-28 that we are all part of the body of Christ. We all have a different, important part to play. We can’t stress enough how each part is needed and significant.
This gifting is a two-way street. Not only do your gifts and talents benefit and serve those around you, there are also people around you whose gifts and talents benefit you. Perhaps you need to receive a word of exhortation or encouragement. Perhaps you need to hear a prophetic word about a situation in your life. This gift would come from your brother or sister in Christ.
Your gifts and talents are so needed! Whatever your gifts and talents, God gave them to you to give back to others. Your gifts and talents can be likened to the Parable of the Talents. A talent is useless unless it is used. If you have the gift of healing but never use the gift, the body is denied a much needed ministry.
If you are shy and hesitant about using your gifts and talents, know that each time you use them, they grow (like muscles). To return to the Parable of the Talents, the servant who buried his talent lost it. It was given to another who had invested what had been given to him. In the parable, those who invested their talents received more. Any investment made in the Kingdom of God will be returned to you because God will grow it. Your gifts and talents will make room for you and take you to places you have never imagined.
We all have things we are talented and gifted in. Let us spend 2016 and beyond maximizing the investment God put in us to the fullest. Don’t bury your (gifts and) talents!
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