Ron Writes

As a preacher I’ve felt it was my job to motivate Christians to use all their talents. Be the best you can be. Don’t be like the man who took his talent and buried it. Paul describes the church as a body where every individual part is essential. Recognize your talent and use it for God’s glory.

As we speak of using our talents, here are a few things to consider about your gifts from God.

Be content with your gifts. Be happy with where you are serving. In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul uses the illustration of the body to describe jealousy over not having the gift you want. It can be a challenge to find the ministry where you belong. Some would rather do what someone else is doing. Paul says “If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body” (1 Cor. 12:15). Appreciate the gift or gifts God has given you. Our gifts are different. What would happen if we all had the same gift – what if the whole body were an eye?

Realize that you are part of the whole. Romans 12 is not unfamiliar to me. I’ve preached from it and through it on many occasions. Maybe I should have studied more. Something that was recently pointed out is that when Paul speaks of the body here it’s in the context of humility. Don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought. It’s not the one who’s not using their talent, but the one who thinks they can do it all. In a team everyone does their part. The quarterback doesn’t block, punt, or receive passes. Everyone on the team has their role to fill. The church is more than a team, it’s a body – we’re connected to one another.

Use your gifts. Be content with your gifts. Serve within those gifts.