Ephesians 4:7 – 11 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.’ (What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.”
A story was recently brought to my attention. The story is from C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, and tells of a child who asks his father for a sixpence. “What for?” asks the father.
“I want to buy you a gift,” says the child.
So, the father digs into his pocket, pulls out a sixpence, and gives it to his child. The child happily rushes out to buy the gift, and a little while later presents the gift to his father.
The father smiles, and is quite pleased with the little gift. But he also knows that, technically, he bought the gift for himself.
God has given us gifts, so that we can return those gifts to Him. He doesn’t wish to have a bunch of duplicates of the same gifts – He likes diversity! He has given each of us different gifts, so that we can present them back to Him. Technically, He gave the gifts to Himself, for He actually provided the gifts. Still, He is pleased when we offer them back to Him.
What gifts has God given you? Are you a musician, or an artist, or a writer, or a teacher? Are you a whiz in the kitchen? Can you whip a messy house or a disorganized office into shape in no time flat? Are you good with numbers? Do you have an uncanny ability to make people feel loved and special?
Find what you do well, and do it for God. The gifts belong to Him, anyway. Still, He will be so very pleased to accept your gifts, which will bring Him glory and honor, and point others to His goodness and love.
Dear Father, Please help me to use the gifts You’ve given me for Your glory and honor.
Amen
Love the C.S. Lewis story Renae. I always worry about not using not only talents, but making free with graces as well – Lk. 12:48 – ‘from him to whom much has been given, much will be required’. I often think I’ve been given an awful lot, am I giving enough back?
I know what you mean, Jackie. Just the other day I read something in Oswald Chambers’ MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. He said we don’t really need to focus on what we are doing for Christ. We need to focus on drawing near to Him, on our relationship to Him. If we are close to Him, if we are seeking to have a right relationship with Him, then our actions and our lives will reflect that. That really spoke to me. He will provide the opportunities. We just need to focus on Him.
–r