Thursday, August 5, 2010
1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
TALENTS OF A BELIEVER ...
"I'm not good at anything." These are words we've all heard before or maybe even thought at one time. But I have to disagree with it completely. If I say or think this, I am certainly good at complaining! Or at the very least, I have remarkable self-pity. In Matthew 25 Jesus teaches the parable of the talents. In the parable He describes these talents as units of money that were entrusted to the servants for safekeeping. But there's more to it than money, there's an attitude. A person often thinks that the only thing they can give back to the Lord or His church is money. I think that's a lot like saying the only way I can show one of my children love is by giving them a hug. How many ways does my Father in heaven show His love to me? If the only way was through the gift of Jesus as my Savior that would certainly be enough! But He does immeasurably and innumerably more!
Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone and rests in Him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known, with love and hope increasing.
Yet faith alone doth justify, works serve thy neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living. [The Lutheran Hymnal, 377:9]
Understand the motive to serve (God or neighbor): the love of Christ for us. Not the hope of high reward; not the desire to buy forgiveness, but the outpouring of a heart moved by the death/life scene on Calvary. It has been said that the reason God loves a cheerful giver is because He Himself is a cheerful giver. Oh that the Spirit would make us "like Father, like son" children who reflect their Father in heaven. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus tells us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
So no matter what you are doing right now, or later on today, or next week ... glorifying your Savior is a blessed talent indeed!
-- Adapted from the Vacation Bible School series "A Day in the Courts of the LORD"
