I must always remember that the gifts and talents I possess are of God's choosing. His assignment to me.
Therefore:
They do not make me special; I am not better than anyone else because of my gifts. Some gifts may place me under greater accountability, but they do not make me superior to anyone.
God intends for me to use my gifts and talents--not hide them. He intends for me to find joy in using them. His joy.
He expects me to use them well. "There is no substitute for excellence, not even success."
They are to be used to glorify Him not me. To use them to seek personal preeminence is idolatry. Self-worship. Such misuse will end up making me as appealing as a cymbal solo.
They are to be used to help others--encourage, exhort, comfort, edify, guide, instruct . . .
If the way that I use them is not rooted, grounded, and saturated with His love than I am useless and worthless to the furtherance of His kingdom. Hopeless.
If my heart is not humbly and constantly reverberating with gratitude to Him for my gifts and talents, I will become a prideful, arrogant, carnal disciple.
I must always remember that the gifts and talents that I possess are of God's choosing. Gifts from Him to me; thus, they are His gifts to be used where He sees fit. The place of service is His choice. The "size" of the ministry is His choice. The effect of the ministry is His Spirit's doing. The goal of my ministry must always be: "He must increase. I must decrease."
Therefore:
They do not make me special; I am not better than anyone else because of my gifts. Some gifts may place me under greater accountability, but they do not make me superior to anyone.
God intends for me to use my gifts and talents--not hide them. He intends for me to find joy in using them. His joy.
He expects me to use them well. "There is no substitute for excellence, not even success."
They are to be used to glorify Him not me. To use them to seek personal preeminence is idolatry. Self-worship. Such misuse will end up making me as appealing as a cymbal solo.
They are to be used to help others--encourage, exhort, comfort, edify, guide, instruct . . .
If the way that I use them is not rooted, grounded, and saturated with His love than I am useless and worthless to the furtherance of His kingdom. Hopeless.
If my heart is not humbly and constantly reverberating with gratitude to Him for my gifts and talents, I will become a prideful, arrogant, carnal disciple.
I must always remember that the gifts and talents that I possess are of God's choosing. Gifts from Him to me; thus, they are His gifts to be used where He sees fit. The place of service is His choice. The "size" of the ministry is His choice. The effect of the ministry is His Spirit's doing. The goal of my ministry must always be: "He must increase. I must decrease."
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