Uniquely Gifted People

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. . . . 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. Romans 12:6-8

Stewardship is one of those things that we have an easy time agreeing with but a hard time practicing. An understanding of stewardship involves recognizing that life isn’t about us but about God and that everything belongs to Him. When we feel like we’re in control of what we spend, save, and give, His ownership of everything sounds great. But when the market drops, prices go up, unemployment rises, or unexpected expenses hit home, our attitude often changes. We get more protective of “our” money. Where that money goes can be a very accurate indication of what we believe.

But stewardship is about much more than just money. A lot of people think that if they don’t have money to give, they don’t have anything to offer the Lord. But that isn’t true at all. We are also called to be stewards of our time and our talents and our abilities. God has given us different gifts because He wants us to use them. He has given us twenty-four hours in a day expecting us to spend them wisely. What do we do with our time, talents, and treasures? When we consider our whole lives an investment, we can find joy and fulfillment in almost anything we do.

Don’t assume you have little to offer to God and others. In an attempt to be humble, many people are reluctant to believe they have any special gifts. But Scripture makes it clear that each person has gifts from God to be used for the benefit of His people. It’s up to you to make the best use of those gifts that God has given you.

Uncommon Key > Stewardship includes your time, treasure, and talents. What gift can you offer to God and to others today?

From the book