Using Talents for Work (Part One)
Posted by Al Coburn on July 07, 2003
"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." We closed the last article with this verse, which tells us to fully give ourselves to the work of the Lord. We will llook at some ways we can do that in this article. First, we must follow the pattern God has given, which is found in His word -- the Bible.
Let's begin with Romans 12:1-8:
- "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
We know the early church had gifted men because the Bible had not been written, but we believe the Spiritual gifts ended when the Bible was written in full. Today, each one of us have the natural abilities that are to be used in doing God's work. As there were different Spiritual gifts given to the early church, not each one had the same gift; so today not everyone has the same abilities or talents. The example used of the human body points this out. Verses 6-8 give seven different fields of work. Each one must develop his natural, God given ability in the field in which he has a talent. This is practiced in the everyday work of life: a person chooses a profession in which they have a talent. Yes, we must develop these talents and increase them. This is done through study and the excercising (using) our talents where-ever or when-ever there is an opportunity.
In the church, we must not put everyone in the same mold. There is a need for the different talents of each one. Ephesians 4:16 says, "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
May each of us search out our own abilities and find our part in the work of the church. Here at Lassen Street, we are fortunate in having a good number who are very active in the work, but there is a need for more laborers. There are things not being done that could be done with more hands working.
1 Peter 1:13 says, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." Are you ready to do what this verse says? In the Greek, it says: "Roll up your sleeves and go to work!"
As the Elders present us with different avenues to work, may we be ready and willing to respond within our abilities; each one doing his or her part. Remember it takes each part of the body to function at its optimum.