Giving God Your Talents Series

Stewardship Series #2

“Giving God Your Talents”

Romans 12:3-8

I had a grandmother that couldn’t carry as “tune in a pail.” Neither my mother or father ever preached a message. My sister cannot play any musical instruments. To my knowledge I have never had a relative that was a head of state, a Nobel prize winner, or an Olympic gold medallist. Despite it all, I am a blessed person because God has gifted me with some musical ability. I rather enjoy preaching. I may not be the smartest person in the world. I may not have more degrees than a thermometer, but I have been gifted.

One of the most common questions my parents were asked after I entered the ministry was, “Who did he get that from?” If they were talking about some of my personality traits, my mother would instinctively blame my father. If, however, they were asked where I received the ability to “kinda” play the guitar or piano, my parents would just shrug their shoulders. Neither of them played any instruments. It was an anomaly.

Whether we know it or not, each one here has a “special gift.” My sister may not be able to play any musical instruments, but she has many different gifts. My grandmother wasn’t the best singer alive (she would tell you that), but I never knew a person who could make crafts like there was no tomorrow.

It is God who gives us our gifts. He has blessed each and every one of us with some special talent. You do not have to sing to be gifted. You do not have to preached to be gifted. You just need to use what God has blessed you with, and use it to the glory of His name!

Discovering your gifts doesn’t take a lot of detective work. You just need to know what to look for. What special talent or ability has God given you? Maybe He has given you a passion for children? Perhaps He has called you to care for the elderly? No matter what is it, we need to use it to glorify God.

Romans 12:1,2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

There’s a story about a wealthy man who was terminally ill. The doctor said,"There’s only one thing that will save you. A brain transplant. It’s an experimental operation. And it’s very expensive." The wealthy guy said, "Money is no object. Can you get me a brain?" The doctor said, "We have three available right now. The first one was from a college professor. But it’ll cost you $10,000."

The guy said, "Don’t worry. I can pay. What about the second brain?" The doctor said, "It was from a rocket scientist. It’ll cost you $100,000." The man said, "I have the money. And I’d be a lot smarter too. But tell me about the third brain."

The doctor said, "The third brain is from a Montreal Canadiens hockey player. But it would set you back a million dollars." The man said, "A million dollars? Why so much for his brain?" The doctor said, "It’s never been used."

Some Christians are like that football player. We have gifts that have never been used. Maybe you have the gift of encouragement. Or hospitality. Or singing. Or the ability to lead a home fellowship group. But you don’t know what you can do. Because you’ve never tried! You’ve never stepped out on faith. You’ve never said, "Lord, here I am! I am willing to do whatever I can to help the church of Jesus Christ. Please help me find my place in this world."

God has blessed you with gifts, and He is pleading with you to use them. Being good stewards of our talents and gifts mean that you would be willing to give BACK to God that which He has blessed you with. I truly believe that a Christian that kept their gifts to themselves is guilty of sinning.

One of the best ways of discerning your spiritual gift(s) is to get involved in a variety of ministry experiences. As you explore the different ministry areas, you will soon discover if you are gifted for these ministries.

1. LOOK FOR those ministries in which you feel the most fulfilled.

One of the biggest problems with the church in the past has been placing people in certain ministries. The idea of the past was to fill any hole with a warm body. “Oh look, we need a Sunday School teacher. Jane Doe just came to church here.. Let’s get her to do it!” There is a problem with that method. You can put the wrong person in the wrong place, and chaos can break loose.