My pastor often tells us
that God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. There’s a certain amount
of truth in that, but I think He sometimes equips us before calling us to a
particular ministry. He gives us gifts to be used for the good of His Body. Of
course, Pastor Tim is making the point that we should be willing to serve where
we’re needed and let God equip us for the task.
I don’t have to manufacture
the ability to do things for God. I just have to use what He’s already given me:
Time. Money. My Home. Love.
Spiritual gifts: leadership, teaching, administration,
hospitality.
When I use them for God I can watch them grow. God gives me gifts
to invest in His kingdom. When I do, they will double and then He’ll give me
more responsibilities.
This parable is an
explanation about how the Kingdom works:
God gives His servants
gifts.
They invest them.
They present Him with the return on the investment.
He praises them.
He gives them more
responsibilities.
Investment is the key
principle in this transaction. He gives gifts precisely for that purpose. Giving
back what He gave me isn’t good enough. Being afraid of His response to
my use of it is wrong. Hoarding it so it won’t get lost is useless. Not
investing my gifts isn’t just wasteful, it’s wicked and lazy. If I don’t invest
in the Kingdom, my gifts will be taken away and I’ll be thrown out of it.
Using my gifts for Him is
not a matter of choice. It’s so easy to say, I’ll volunteer eventually, but
right now I’m pretty busy, or tired, or mad at someone or . . . God gave me
gifts to invest in the Kingdom. All I have to do is use them and they’ll
double. That’s what a good and faithful servant does.
And the reward is His
praise. I can’t imagine a greater joy than the Lord of Creation praising me for
doing something for Him.
I can be lazy and wicked or
good and faithful.
I can receive God’s praise
or His wrath.
I can spend eternity in God’s
presence or weeping outside the Kingdom.
The difference is whether
I invest the gifts He’s already given me.
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