gift |ɡift| noun 1 a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present: She loved to give gifts.
In the story Jesus tells of The Parable of the Three Servants, found in Matthew 25:14-28, there was a business owner who was going on a long trip and called his servants together so he could give them some money before he left.
The business owner gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last servant, dividing the money in proportion to their abilities.
The first servant with the five bags began to invest the money he was given and earned five more. The servant with the two bags also worked with the money and earned two more. But the servant who received only one bag dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money because he was afraid he would lose it.
When the business owner returned from his trip, he called his servants together so they could give an account of how they had used his money. He was so proud of the two servants who had invested the money wisely. But he was extremely saddened and disappointed in the one who had buried the silver out of fear.
“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29
Similar to this story, God has given each of us gifts and talents that we are expected to use. These gifts could be physical talents or abilities, personality traits, personal experiences, passions and desires, and even spiritual gifts like the ones found in Romans 11:6-8…
“In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
Look into your hands—what “talents” has God given to you to use in the world for His glory? The special abilities that only you have are gifts from God and He wants you to use them! Any time you use your gifts and talents to help someone else, you are ministering for God!
This is why I love Equipped by Faith and believe in marketplace ministry. I used to think I had to be a pastor in order to do any kind of ministry, but that is simply not true! I love watching Field use his gift in leadership to positively impact the world around him. I love using the platform God has given me through business to speak about God’s truth. We are all called to use our gifts to minister to others, every single day, exactly where we are.
If you are struggling with understanding or discovering what your gifts are, ask God to show you today! He created you, and He loves you more than you could ever know. He wants to reveal His plans for your life—they are good plans, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope! (Jeremiah 29:11)
I am praying for you today, that you will discover what God has placed inside of you to release into the world—all for His glory! Amen!
XO-
Sabrina