Jesus tells a story about a man who had put some people in
charge of some money. For our understanding we’re going to change the value.
One man he gave $5,000, to another he gave $200, and another he gave $10. Upon
checking back with the men he found that the man who he had entrusted $5,000 to
had doubled his money and the same for the man to whom he had entrusted the
$200 to. The owner was very pleased and told these two that because they had
been faithful with this small thing that they would be trusted with greater
things. The man who he had left the $10 with had not done anything with the
money and therefore did not lose it, but he didn’t gain any either. The owner
was very upset, he cursed him and called him lazy and took away what he had
given the man and gave it to the two other men. - Matthew 25:14-30 (paraphrased)
What have you been given?
We have all been given something. In Romans 12:6 – 8 and 1
Peter 4:10 we find some of what the Bible says about our gifts. “We have
different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying,
let him use it in accordance to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him
teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the
needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans) “Each one should
use whatever gifts he has received to serve others faithfully administering God’s
grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter)
Notice these 2 things: 1) Gifts and grace go hand-in-hand.
2) Our gifts are for God and others.
Jesus says in Matthew 22:37 – 40, “Love the Lord your God
with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your mind. This is the
first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor
as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” So
the very first thing we need to check is our hearts. Is everything in us operating
out of love for God and love for others? If not, why? Let’s fix this before we
go any further, pause for a moment and talk to God about that.
We see in Matthew 10:8 Jesus is directing his disciples,
telling them “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,
drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Grace is a gift we have
received through Jesus Christ and our gifts are meant to showcase God’s grace.
Do you know what your gift is?
It doesn’t matter what your gift is – no matter how big or
how small you think it is. Do you remember our guys in the story? They were all
entrusted with different amounts. – You have been given a gift! As you think
about this new year and all to come begin thinking about your gift and how you
can use it.
I want to challenge you to use your gift! Think “use it or
lose it”, this is biblical. In Revelation 3:16 Jesus says, “because you are
luke warm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Go
back to the opening story, the men who were faithful with what they had been
given (no matter how big or how small) and because of that they were given
more. The man who didn’t do anything with what he was given had that taken from
him.
Discover your gift, discover how you can use it to glorify God
and give grace to others, then get after it!!
