YOUR GIFT: USE IT OR LOSE IT

I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away (Luke 19:26).

. . . nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything.  And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him.  Yet he is not far from each of us, for 'in him we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:25-28).

During my tenure at Midwest Christian Services, an adolescent residential treatment facility, I noticed that one of the common features of the residents was that they were gifted; the reason for their admittance to MCS was not due to a deficient mental capacity.  Generally, the residents came from dysfunctional family environments so that they were negatively influenced and undisciplined, and, as a result, made bad choices.  Poor academic performance at school resulted from deficient self-discipline and life-skills rather than low intellectual capacity.  Out in the general population the same phenomena is also true.  Most people are more gifted than they think, but because of negative thinking habits and attitudes, never make the most of what they have.

Though there is a difference between natural gifts and Spiritual gifts, there is not as much distinction as one might assume because even natural gifts have a Spiritual purpose.  God has not left his creation without supervision to exist on its own; he is deeply involved in it so that humanity would seek him.  He has graced humanity with a vast array of natural gifts so that we can bless each other, for example, the Holy Spirit can use a competent secular counselor to help a person with their problems.

The Bible teaches that if your gift goes unused, it will be lost, but if your gift is used, more gifts will be given.  One sure way to lose your gift, natural or Spiritual, is to let it go unused.  One sure way to become more gifted is to use more the gift that you have for the Lord.  Those who avoid any opportunities for service will lose everything.

Grace&Peace;
Tom