Question 1

Where do my abilities come from?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 1:26–27Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.Matthew 25:15“He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. . . .”1 Corinthians 4:7What gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?Ephesians 2:10We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.Our abilities come from God. Every person is a special creation of God, created “in his own image” but with unique physical characteristics, personality, potential, and talents. God has empowered every person with special abilities; no one is left empty-handed.Romans 12:4-8Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 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.1 Corinthians 12:4-11There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.Ephesians 4:11-13Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church . . . to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ . . . until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.In addition to our natural abilities and talents, God has given spiritual gifts to people who belong to Christ and are filled with his Spirit (members of the “body of Christ”). These gifts are given to equip God’s people to do his work, so we should use them to build up our communities of faith.Deuteronomy 8:18“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”John 15:5“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”God gives each of us the abilities to accomplish our responsibilities and to provide for our needs. We are responsible to use our talents, abilities, and gifts for the good of others, and we will answer to God for what we do with them.

Question 2

Why did God give me talents, abilities, and gifts?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 31:1-5Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel . . . I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood.”1 Corinthians 12:6God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.Our talents, abilities, and gifts are not random or accidental; they are part of the way God has uniquely designed us. God gave Bezalel talents as a craftsman and commissioned him to create beautiful objects for the Tabernacle. God most often does his work on earth through people, so he gives each person special gifts and talents. Every ability is useful to God, so we should use them for him. What talents has God given you? These abilities may become your full-time job, or they may simply be hobbies. Either way, God can use them to accomplish his purposes. To use what we enjoy doing to serve God is exciting and deeply satisfying.

Question 3

I’m really good in certain things. How can God use those abilities as I serve him?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 25:21“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.”Matthew 25:29“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance.”Luke 12:48“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”1 Corinthians 10:31So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.Our natural talents and abilities are gifts from God; thus, with them comes the responsibility for using them well. A person may be gifted in the areas of cooking, athletics, entertaining, managing a business, caring for animals, fixing things, playing an instrument, or many other areas. God can use any gift if we offer it freely to his service. An athlete can witness to her teammates through her words, attitude, and actions. A handyman can help a neighbor who can’t afford to get his car fixed. A musician can visit a nursing home to perform for the residents. Whatever our abilities, we can find ways to bless others and honor God through them.

Question 4

What happens when I use my God-given abilities?

Accepted Answer

Philippians 2:5-7You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave.1 Peter 4:10God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.God gives everyone specific strengths and natural abilities. And he gives his people spiritual gifts. Sometimes we neglect to use those abilities or get in the rut of using them only for ourselves. Seeing our abilities as gifts from almighty God can be humbling as we realize that he values us enough to put these gifts within our care. We can use them for our personal enjoyment, but we can also use them to serve others, for that is where they have the greatest impact. Through this act of serving others, we become channels through which God’s generosity flows, helping others experience his love and blessings through us.Ephesians 4:11-13Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church . . . to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ . . . until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.When using our God-given abilities, especially the spiritual gifts mentioned in this passage, we will feel happier and more fulfilled. Rejoicing in our gifts is good, but we should let that rejoicing be poured out as a thank offering to the God who gave them to us. Without God, our abilities are dreams without power, cups without water, engines without fuel. Are you grateful for the abilities and gifts God has given you and using them gratefully?

Question 5

In what ways does God help me in areas where I lack ability?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 4:10-12Moses pleaded . . . “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”Philippians 2:13God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.If God is asking you to do something, he will give you the desire, the ability, the helpers, and the extra resources to get the job done.

Question 6

Will God ever ask me to do something outside of my abilities?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 4:10-12But Moses pleaded . . . “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”God will help us in important areas where we lack ability. If God is asking you to do something, he will give you the ability or extra resources to get the job done.Ephesians 3:18And may you . . . understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.The number of abilities you have is not related to the degree of love God has for you. God loves all believers wholly and unconditionally, so much so that he sent his own Son, Jesus, to die in our place so that we could live forever with him.

Question 7

Do responsibilities come with the abilities I have been given?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 25:14-15, 29“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities . . . To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”Matthew 25:21“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.”Luke 12:48“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”God gives each of us different abilities, resources, experiences, relationships, and opportunities. With these gifts come responsibility. We may assume that because we aren’t a famous athlete, missionary, businessperson, singer, speaker, or author, we haven’t been given a great deal of talent or responsibility. But every parent holds the massive responsibility of training up a child. Every neighbor has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Good Samaritan. And every follower of Jesus is entrusted with the glorious gift of God’s love, to be invested in the lives around them.It doesn’t take a famous speaker to speak a word of wisdom and encouragement to a child. It doesn’t take a spectacular musician to lift the spirits of a lonely widow. It doesn’t take an experienced missionary to share the gospel with a friend. Even if you are the servant in the parable who was given only one talent, that talent is a combination of abilities, resources, experiences, relationships, and opportunities that no one else has been given. God has entrusted this to you. Steward it well.1 Corinthians 12:7A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.1 Corinthians 12:17-18If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.1 Corinthians 14:26When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.Ephesians 4:12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.God has given each of us different gifts for blessing the body of Christ. Each of us was shaped to fill the needs of others.Colossians 3:17, 23–24Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. . . . Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.1 Timothy 4:7–8Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.No matter what our natural gifts and abilities, we can all exercise spiritual disciplines that will train us for godliness. God wants this for everyone.John 17:4“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”Jesus’ mission in life was pleasing God the Father. This is the ultimate purpose for all of us. We, too, are called to bring glory to God through all we say and do, in all times, places, circumstances, and with all our abilities.

Question 8

I am good at what I do. Is it wrong for me to feel good about that?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 9:23-24This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.”John 15:5“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”1 Corinthians 3:5-7After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.2 Corinthians 3:5It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.Philippians 4:4Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!When using our God-given abilities, we will feel happy and fulfilled. Rejoicing in our abilities is natural, but we should let that rejoicing be in gratitude to the God who gave them and who works through them. Only a humble dependence on him will produce lasting fruit from our efforts.1 Samuel 16:7The Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”1 Corinthians 13:1-3If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.Galatians 1:10Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.Receiving praise and admiration from others can be gratifying and encouraging, but we should be wary against allowing personal achievement to become our chief motivation. Our gifts are a way to bless others, a way to imitate God’s goodness and bring glory to him. When we start using our gifts out of pride instead of love, we miss the point.

Question 9

How might my abilities become a liability or danger?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 8:11-14“Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God.”When our abilities bring success and blessing, we are in danger of becoming complacent and forgetting that God gave us those abilities to serve him and others. Another danger of having great ability is becoming proud and thinking we no longer need God’s help or advice from others.Judges 13:3, 5, 24The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son . . . He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.”Judges 16:1One day Samson went to the Philistine town of Gaza and spent the night with a prostitute.Judges 16:4-5, 19-20Some time later Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah . . . The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice Samson to tell you what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely. Then each of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” . . . Delilah lulled Samson to sleep with his head in her lap, and then she called in a man to shave off the seven locks of his hair . . . and his strength left him. Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him.Matthew 25:21“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.”James 4:6He [God] gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”We can turn our abilities into liabilities. Each ability has the potential for problems. If we neglect a certain ability, we squander that God-given talent. If we use it for selfish reasons instead of for God’s work, we abuse it. When we rely on our abilities apart from the Lord, we can become proud. God rarely works through the proud and self-sufficient. Does my pride in my abilities limit my ability to serve God?2 Chronicles 20:12“O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was overwhelmed by the attack coming against the nation, because he knew his abilities and resources were no match for his enemies. But God opened the way to success through faith. Our dependence on God is far more important than the abilities we have.Psalm 147:10-11He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.Zechariah 4:6“This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”God requires our faith more than our abilities. He often uses our abilities in proportion to our faith. If we want to delight God, we should say “yes” to him, step out in faith, and watch him accomplish his will through us. Abilities give us the potential to do good; faith gives us the power and wisdom to do good. When we trust in our limited abilities, we can only go as far as they lead us. When we trust in our limitless God, we can follow him to places beyond our hopes and dreams. His ability, not ours, is the ultimate assurance of success.Exodus 4:10-12Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”When God called Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, Moses tried to refuse. He insisted he didn’t have the speaking ability to be such a leader. But God used Moses to become arguably the greatest leader in Israel’s history.Judges 6:15“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”Gideon felt insignificant, but he trusted God’s leading even when the odds were against him. In the end, God used Gideon to free Israel from the Midianite oppressors.1 Kings 19:3-4, 10Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died. . . . I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”1 Kings 19:18“I [God] will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”Jeremiah 20:10, 18I have heard the many rumors about me. They call me “The Man Who Lives in Terror.” They threaten, “If you say anything, we will report it.” . . . Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame.Jeremiah 29:11“I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”Elijah and Jeremiah are two of the most famous prophets in the Bible, yet both struggled with depression and even suicidal thoughts. God didn’t give up on either of them. Instead, he comforted them, strengthened them, and gave them hope.1 Kings 19:16, 21“Anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.” . . . So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.Jeremiah 36:4-8So Jeremiah sent for Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated all the prophecies that the Lord had given him, Baruch wrote them on a scroll. Then Jeremiah said to Baruch, “I am a prisoner here and unable to go to the Temple. So you go to the Temple on the next day of fasting, and read the messages from the Lord that I have had you write on this scroll. Read them so the people who are there from all over Judah will hear them. Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the Lord’s forgiveness before it is too late. For the Lord has threatened them with his terrible anger.” Baruch did as Jeremiah told him and read these messages from the Lord to the people at the Temple.Sometimes, when our own strength or abilities near their limits, God offers help through the blessing of friendship. When Elijah was feeling most alone, God sent Elisha to join him in his ministry. When Jeremiah was unable to share the message God had given him, Baruch faithfully wrote down Jeremiah’s words and delivered the message. If a task seems too great for you alone, ask for God to send others to join you in the work.Philippians 2:20-22I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.1 Timothy 5:23Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.Timothy was young, timid, and not physically robust, yet God used his leadership to bless the early church.2 Corinthians 12:5-10I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.God works through everyone who relies on him in humility and faith. In fact, our weakness often becomes the tool by which God leads us to rely most fully on his power. God is not limited by our limitations, and he often uses those weaknesses for his glory.

Question 10

If I do more for God, will he love me more?

Accepted Answer

Romans 5:6-8When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.1 John 4:9-10God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.God’s love for us is not determined by how much we love him or by our good works. We can never do anything to make God love us more—or less.Romans 8:38-39I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.Ephesians 3:18May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.The number of abilities we have and how we use them are not related to the degree of love God has for us. Long before we were born, God already loved us enough to send his Son to die for us. Rather, using our gifts shows our degree of love for God! The more we love him, the more we will delight in serving him to the best of our ability.Romans 8:29God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.Ephesians 2:10We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.Ephesians 5:1-2Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.Philippians 3:8Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.1 Peter 2:21God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.An earthly father desires to spend time with his children, teach them, and watch them grow. Our heavenly Father desires the same. He wants us to spend time with him, seek to know him more, and grow to become like him. This is not a condition for his love, but a result of it. God receives great joy to see his beloved children growing into all we were created to be.