Hi
I remember the little chorus well,
One talent have I to take to the sky; while others are blessed with ten of the rest, Why should I complain, from duty refrain – oh never, no never, not I A very kool song to teach children (if the message sticks) about being satisfied with what we’ve got.
However, there is a phrase in today’s Holy Nougat which actually brought it back to memory – ‘in proportion to their abilities!’ Check it out for yourself:
“He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.”
Matthew 25:15 NLT
According to their abilities. So, if we jump ahead of ourselves a bit, we realize that we are gifted with the expectation that we will not only USE our gifts/talents/skills wisely, but in using the gifts, we would also widen our base and more gifts would be added as we use our gifts.
If so, then we need to be focused on
A. our abilities
B. our use of the gifts
A. Our abilities
The word transliterated ‘ability’ has its root in the word dynamite. It related to spiritual gifts or inherent (nature-based) power. That one received 5, another 2, the other 1 is indicative of EVERY one possessing a gift. Others may have more, or seem to have all, but there is a gift in each of us which we can contribute to the wider community.
Think about the natural innate gifts and then consider those mentioned in Romans and 1 Corinthians chapters 12. Do you know what your gifts are?
If yes; how are you using the gifts
B. Our use of the gifts
Some of us are so busy with our gifts that others are wowed by us. We’re active at church, work, the wider community and our gifts seem to grow both naturally and spiritually. Awesomeness
Unfortunately many of us who do know where our abilities lie are comparing our gifts to others and busy ourselves with grumbling about the wrapping, the size, or the quantity of gifts we have received; failing to realize that using our gifts increases its size, nature and draws other gifts in.
And of course, when we offer our gifts to God’s work, there is scope for the divine multiplying effect – blessing returned in full; packed tightly, with extras atop extras to overflowing. Sounds like anyone you know/seen in the public arena? Could easily be us
For some of us, it’s not a matter of ignoring our gifts, it’s about ignorance. We are unaware of the gifts and skills with which we have been blessed. That’s where prayer and friends/community play a vital role. We can ask for a revelation of our gifts, which may be told to us directly by way of others or from a spiritual gifts inventory or, as Paul did with Timothy, by the anointing via a spiritual leader.
When we do discern what the gift is; we prayerfully offer it for God’s glory here in our sphere, for the world dies while awaiting our own precious gifts which transform, restore and renew.
Know our gifts? Praising God that we use them according to our abilities.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
