Verse of the day: Exodus 31:3, 6 “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,” “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:”
Psalm 139:13-14 reads, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” God created each of us differently. We look different from one another physically. Along with being different physically, He has also given us different talents, abilities, and gifts. In constructing the Tabernacle, God filled the workers with His Holy Spirit. He gave them wisdom, knowledge, and the skills needed to complete the work. We serve the same God. He, His Holy Spirit, for those of us who are born again, is our source of wisdom and knowledge (Job 38:36). God has given us the skills and abilities needed to serve Him, and accomplish whatever He calls us to (Isaiah 28:26). This is why it is of utmost importance that we, as God’s people, pray and seek God when it comes to using our talents and abilities. Too many of us miss out on opportunities to use our God-given talents to serve God because we are too busy trying to be like someone else. We envy what others are capable of and never bother to seek what it is God has gifted us with. Then, even if we discover it, we still envy what others can do because what we are good at does not put us in the limelight as others’ talents do. Sadly, what happens is that we go after things that we think will give us more notoriety, more money, more success, only to end up dissatisfied and discontented. There are far too many Christians that are missing out on opportunities to be great blessings to others, and glorify God greatly, because we are too self-absorbed in trying to find success by the world’s standard. Even in serving within the body, God has made it clear that even the smallest of tasks will bring glory to Him when viewed from the perspective of the “big picture”. The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Christians at Corinth, stressed the importance of unity in using our talents, abilities, and gifts, in the body of Christ. Whether their talents and abilities were great or small, they were all important in God’s work. He told them in 1 Corinthians 12:20-26, “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” God has equipped all of us, in one way or another, to be part of the body, to minister to one another, and work together in the furtherance of the Gospel. He has provided us with the talents and abilities necessary to accomplish God’s work here on earth. May I also remind us that God has also equipped us with talents and abilities that are helpful in society, and are helpful in giving us direction as to what area of employment we are best qualified for. It may not be a skill that is highly paid, but it is a skill that will put us right where God wants us to be, so that our workplace and the people we meet become our mission field for the proclamation of the Gospel. Are we making full use of the talents and abilities that God has given us, for the sake of Christ? Sadly, I have seen men and women who have skills that would benefit the church body greatly, but will use them only if paid for their time. Hence, they will sacrifice all (time, family, health) serving the world with that skill, but make excuses as to why they do not have time to bless God’s people with that skill. Maybe it is time we allow the Holy Spirit of God to show us what it is that He desires for us so that we can finally begin to truly glorify God with the talents and abilities that He has given us. We must ask ourselves, “How can I use what I am good at, by God’s grace, to share the love of Christ with someone? How can I use what I am good at to bless the local church and God’s people, for the glory of God?”
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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