Gifts

Today’s devotional is for those who serve in church ministry. Certainly, serving the Lord in different areas of ministry is a great demonstration of love. You may serve as a teacher for children, teens, or adults. You may cook meals for those going through challenging times or serve food to the homeless. You may be gifted in music or skilled in technology. But please hear this: Service without worship results in spiritual burnout.

This verse emphasizes that every believer has at least one gift. The gift is not given for us to let atrophy from lack of use. It has been given “to serve one another.” Neglecting to use your gift, for whatever reason, not only hurts you but the entire body of Christ. You have a gift! Time to use it!

God owns it all, and everything we have is a gift from him. Satisfaction comes when we are content with what God gives and steward his gifts in a way that honors him. 

Excuses. Excuses. Excuses. The sluggard is full of them. “I am overqualified.” “I am underqualified.” “That’s too challenging.” “That’s not challenging enough.” “I am waiting for the perfect job that fits my gifts and training perfectly.”

Jesus tells us to pray bold, persistent, and confident prayers.

He will give you what is good…when you ask.

When we compare ourselves to others, our own progress is either paralyzed or puffed up. Our goal is Christlikeness. That is the only comparison to make!   

The requirement of a manager is to be faithful to what has been entrusted to you (1 Corinthians 4:2). Are you using God’s gracious gifts according to His desires?

We are in desperate need of more wholehearted servants like Caleb. We need men and women who are using all their gifts and resources to serve God until he calls them home. There is no such thing as retirement in the service of the Lord.