Unwrapping God’s Gifts: Using Your Time, Talents, and Resources for His Glory

Summary

God entrusts believers with bodies, time, abilities, and resources to honor Him and advance His kingdom. Both natural talents and spiritual gifts are to be used faithfully and urgently, since life is uncertain. Like the servants in Jesus’ parable, believers are accountable for how they invest what God has given. True stewardship means unwrapping God’s gifts and using them for His glory.

Honoring God with Body and Resources

God expects us to honor Him with our bodies and resources. They are gifts from Him.

Gifts Given by God, Returned in Gratitude

They are also our gifts to Him in gratitude for Jesus’ death for us (2 Corinthians 5:15). God gives us aptitudes and abilities, both natural and spiritual.

Natural Abilities and Spiritual Gifts

My wife can read three times faster than I can. That is a natural ability.

I draw stick figures to represent people. My daughter can draw recognizable likenesses of people. That is also a natural ability. I was born with natural athletic ability.

God has also given me spiritual gifts. For example, I can express spiritual truth through the written word in ways that bless others. The challenge is to use our natural and spiritual abilities to further God’s kingdom.

The Urgency of Faithful Stewardship

We do not have unlimited time to bless others with our resources. Life is uncertain. Today could be our last opportunity.

Some of us could live to one hundred. My mother died at 37. My father lived to 102. We can each serve God at this hour, but He does not guarantee two hours from now.

Lessons From the Parable of the Ten Minas

Let us consider one description of what God expects based on the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11-27). The nobleman in the parable, who represents Jesus, gave ten minas to ten of his servants.

He told them to put the money to work until he returned. He expected a return on the money he entrusted to them.

Let us apply those verses to our lives. God expects us to honor Him with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) by using our time, talents, energy, and financial resources to seek His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Using What God Has Placed in Your Hand

God provides all we need to complete our mission. He did it for Moses.

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’’ “A staff,” he replied (Exodus 4:2 NIV). God used that staff in several miracles worked through Moses.

So, what do you hold in your hand? It probably is not a staff, but God has gifted you uniquely.

Unwrapping God's Gifts

Unwrap your gifts and use them for His glory. One day, you will have to give an account of how you did that! See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.

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God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,590 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,681 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting. 

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