How Well Are You Using Your Gifts

How Well Are You Using Your Gifts?

Study Text: Matthew 25:14–30; Romans 12:4–8

Introduction:

- The believers have the responsibility to recognize, develop, and diligently use their God-given gifts for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.

- Every child of God has been endowed with divine gifts—spiritual abilities, natural talents, and divine opportunities —to fulfill God’s purpose on earth.

- No believer is giftless. The tragedy, however, is that many neglect, bury, or misuse their gifts.

- In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus tells us that each servant received gifts “according to his ability.” The issue wasn’t the size of the gift but the faithfulness in using it.

- So the question today is not “Do you have a gift?” but rather “How well are you using your gift?”

- We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:

1. The Source of your Gifts

2. The Significance of your Gifts

3. The Stirring of your Gifts

1. The Source of your Gifts

- Every good and perfect gift comes from God. James 1:17

- Your spiritual gifts, talents, intellect, influence, and resources are not self-generated, they are divine deposits from the Creator. 1 Corinthians 12:7-8

- Gifts differ, but the Giver is the same God who works through all.

- You are a steward, not an owner. Stewardship implies responsibility and accountability.

- Just as a device needs its manufacturer’s power and purpose to function, your gift needs God’s direction to be meaningful.

- Every gift must point back to the Giver.

- Use your gift for His glory, in His grace, and by His guidance.

- The purpose of your gift is to draw men to Christ, not to yourself.

2. The Significance of your Gifts

- God never gives a gift without a purpose.

- Your gift is meant to profit others and promote God’s kingdom.

- Gifts are not for self-glorification but for service and edification.

- When you use your gift rightly, you bring healing, hope, and help to others.

A. Assigned for Service: Every gift is a call to serve.

B. Aligned for Significance: Your gift fits into God’s larger plan.

C. Accountable for Stewardship: You will give an account of how you used it (Matthew 25:19).

- A lamp is useless when hidden under a bushel. Likewise, your gift loses value when unused.

A. Faithful in Little: Small acts of obedience attract great favour.

B. Fruitful in Labour: Diligent use brings multiplication.

C. Favoured by the Lord: Faithfulness brings commendation and promotion.

- Heaven measures greatness not by how much you have but by how well you use it.

3. The Stirring of your Gifts

- 2 Timothy 1:6, says: “Stir up the gift of God which is in you…”

- Gifts can grow dull if neglected.

- Some need to be stirred, sharpened, and strengthened.

- Develop your gift through prayer, study, practice, and mentorship.

A. Discovery: Know your area of grace. (Romans 12:3)

B. Development: Train and refine your skill.

C. Deployment: Use it actively to bless lives.

- Don’t wait for perfect conditions to start. Begin where you are, with what you have, and God will multiply it.

- The servant who buried his talent made three major mistakes:

1. Fear: “I was afraid…”

2. Fault-finding: “You are a hard man…”

3. Failure: “I hid your talent…”

- Many believers today are guilty of these same errors—fear of failure, blaming others, or burying potential.

- Some misuse their gifts for selfish gain, fame, or manipulation.

- The end result is divine displeasure and lost reward.

- God will not reward intention, but action. The unprofitable servant lost his talent and his place.

Conclusion:

- Every believer has something to contribute to the body of Christ and the world.

- You may not have five talents, but the one you have is enough if used faithfully.

- Don’t bury your gift. Don’t envy others. Don’t despise small beginnings.

- The question heaven asks today is: “How well are you using your gift?”

- Discover your gift through prayer and service.

- Dedicate your gift to God.

- Develop it through diligence and humility.

- Deploy it for God’s glory and man’s benefit.