If any of us went to Sunday as a child we heard the story of the "wicked servant" in Matthew 25:14-30. As children our understanding was much different than it is as adults. But as we got older the story becomes a message of "God expects everyone to do something with the gifts he gave us". Some are moved to become involved in ministry and some are just moved until the get home.
In this weeks Bible Study Bishop Perry pointed out something that all Christians should consider. First, she said that more than anything we should desire to please God by walking in a true relationship with Him. If we desire to see Him smile at us then we must be in a place of committed service to Him. We will no longer do things just so we can say that we are active or that we are "used by God". Instead we will serve God because our relationship with Him draws us to a place of surrender to Him. Secondly, God will hold us accountable for the use or lack of use of the talents/gifts that He has placed in us. As His workers in the vineyard, we will be judged according to what we produce.
The later point made me think. I don't know what talents others may have or even how many anyone else has. But I know - if we are honest with ourselves we know some of the things that God has placed in us- God has placed many talents within me. I'm not only responsible for using those talents, but using them according to God's will. What I do with those talents will be judged by God.
How many people sit in the church with talent(s), but they either have placed their talent(s) in a bag or they are using them in away that is contrary to what God has planed? Do they know that they will be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof?
Here is a better question. What talents do I know that I have but am not putting to use? Or maybe I'm using them but in low gear. Am I afraid to walkout into the deep - though I know that God is right there with me - because it's the unknown? Would it be correct to say that I'm more afraid of the uncertain or the small issues than I am of God's judgement?
The floor is open...
4 comments:
There are many things in life that give us cause to fear, knowing the gifts/talents God has given us and using them for his glory is one fear most have in common. When I first got saved or turned my life over to God, I really had no idea what was next for me. In the beginning I just wanted to be saved, I never considered God had given me a gift/talent and expected me to use it for his Glory. After a few years I found myself wanting to teach but I was affraid because I thought you had to be saved for about 40 years and knew every scripture in the bible in order to teach. So I asked God to help me by revealing to me what he really wanted me to do. He did exactly that by sending church leaders to me who asked me to assist them with teachig Sunday School, so I did just that and by studying to prepare to teach I developed my relationship with God. I went from teaching the primary class to the youth, to young adults, to adult and I really enjoy it. God began to show me that I had a gift/talent to teach so I started teaching home bible study, small groups, etc., during that time God called me to go higher so I thought it was to the deacon's ministry. I trained to be part of the deacon's ministry for about 10 years, and I thought I would remain a deacon but God was calling me to ministry I tried to ignore that call. As time went on, my teaching skills was always what I tried to perfect. We don't always see or understand the gifts/talents God has given until we build and maintain a relationship with Him, but once we do and he reveals what our gift is we must pursue that gift/talent beyond our fears if we want to please Him.
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