Friday August 12, 2011

Read  1 Corinthians 4:7, Romans. 12:6, 1 Corinthians12:1-7

 

Stewardship of Talent

We have seen that stewardship in the Scriptures always relates to the management of something that does not belong to us, but to someone else. Even our talents and special abilities belong to God. We own nothing that was not first given to us: "And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (1 Cor. 4:7). God has entrusted us with aptitudes and abilities, and as good stewards, we must use them for His glory and not our own. This is true not only of musical, artistic, athletic, academic, business, and persuasive talents, but also of the spiritual gifts we have received. "And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly" (Romans 12:6).

 

Peter specifically relates spiritual gifts to the concept of stewardship: "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). Faithful stewardship of natural talents and spiritual gifts requires that we use them to glorify God and edify others. Our purpose is not to please ourselves, but to serve others. "Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself" (Romans 15:2-3a). Paul adds in Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

List all your talents and abilities and think through the ones that are and aren’t being used to glorify God. What will you change?

 

 

Prayer:

> Pray for those in your congregation that are struggling with health issues.

> Pray for those who are caring for those who are unwell that they will ask for help when needed and that there will always be someone willing to offer a helping hand.