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.
You may love children, but you may not be right to teach Sunday school. If we are going to honour God with our talents, we must have a sense of fulfillment in doing so. This is an act of worship. We worship God when we use our talents, but if we feel miserable, then are we truly honouring God with those gifts?
There are several different facets to any specific gifts. We were all made differently. If you feel you are called to work with children, that’s great. Two people, however, may work with kids differently. Some may feel they want to be up front, and teaching the kids. Others would like to work one-on-one with a child doing a craft project, or consoling a homesick boy or girl at camp. Both people have a distinctive call for children, but God equipped them differently.
2. LOOK FOR those ministries in which you seem to be the most effective.
Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art.
One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities. Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, "Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!"
If you want to be your best for God then you should try to find ways to use your gifts in an effective manner. In other words, perhaps it is best to serve God in areas were you are sure of your strengths.
Paul would admonish the people in the church in Rome to work from their calling. Look again with me at this passage. With each gift, Paul used this formula, “If a man’s gift is ______, then let him ______.” He never said, “If a man’s gift is teaching, he should sing.” No! Use the gifts that God has given you!
When I was in High school, we still had shop class. I can remember many times the wood-shop teacher, we called him “Moose,” he would look at the class and say, “If you have a job that requires a pry bar, don’t use a screwdriver.” In other words certain tools are used for specific jobs. The same goes with the gifts that God has blessed us with... Lead from your strengths.
I am not saying not to try other things. In fact, I whole heartedly encourage such activities. But if you struggle with balancing your own cheque book, do not volunteer to be the church treasurer. On the other side if you love talking to men about the Lord, perhaps you should use those talents to start a men’s group!
3. LOOK FOR those ministries in which others affirm your abilities.
In Matthew 7:16, in reference to false prophets, Jesus tells all listening that false prophets would be easily distinguished by the fruit that they bear. In a comparison, Christians are known by their fruits as well. Christian should bear good fruit. When you are using your gifts to glorify God, they will bear fruit. Others will recognize this fruit.
If you have some questions about whether or not God has called you into a certain area of ministry, ask others. Ask them if they see that fruit in you.
Also, do not get tied up over the word “ministry” either. We have all been called to be ministers in one way, shape or form. If you use your gifts to glorify God and it touches those lives of people around you, it’s a ministry.
One thing that needs to stated is this entire process must be enveloped in prayer. The Lord will lead you to an identification of your gift(s) if you allow Him to guide and direct you in all your endeavours. There are spiritual gifts tests that are available. They help a person lead from the strengths that Go dhas given them. But they are no substitute for seeking His will prayerfully.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5,6)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)
I realize how easily a person can become lukewarm or neglectful of their spiritual gift. It is hard work and sometimes you wonder if you’re doing any good. It is like that with all the gifts. They all require sacrifice, hard work, and faith that God will use our efforts. We need to guard our hearts so that we do not begin to think, "Let somebody else take care of this need, I’ve done my part for years."
Conclusion:
A few years ago, when Mother Teresa visited Australia, a young man was assigned to be her guide during her stay. He was thrilled at the prospect of being so close to such a godly woman but he became frustrated over time because even though he was constantly near her, he never had the opportunity to talk with her because there were always other people around.
When her tour was over she was scheduled to fly to New Guinea. In desperation, this young man came up with a plan and said to Mother Teresa, “If I pay my own fare to New Guinea, can I sit next to you on the plane so I can talk and learn from you?” Mother Teresa looked at him and asked, “You have enough money to pay airfare to New Guinea?” “Oh, yes,” he replied eagerly. “Then give that money to the poor,” she said. “You’ll learn more from that than I anything I can tell you.”
Many of us would rather experience something than do something. We always learn more by doing because our gifts are given to be given. When we unwrap our gifts for service, other than edifying the church, we also give praise, honour & glory to the one who gave us these gifts in the first place.
