A plain bar of iron is worth five American dollars. The same bar made into a pair of horseshoes would be worth about fifty dollars. Made into medical needles, it might be worth as much as five thousand dollars. And if it were made into balance springs for fine Swiss watches, that iron bar might bring in as much as five hundred thousand dollars. The point is this: Raw material must be developed.
What will our gifts be worth to God? Will we hear him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)? It all depends on how we develop our raw material.
God has blessed each of us with gifts or talents. Consider the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit and the various charisms that he bestows for serving and building up the body of Christ (Isaiah 11:2; 1 Corinthians 12:41 1; Romans 1216-8). These are all marvelous gifts that he wants us to nurture so that they can bear powerful fruit.
But the kingdom of God isn’t built up only by prayer and fasting, miracles and healing. It also requires more ordinary, but no less useful, gifts such as compassion, curiosity, industriousness, kindness, and courage. Remember, the kingdom has been expanded by such common things as the invention of the telephone, advances in air travel, and even the work of some very creative authors and songwriters!
A young boy once offered Jesus his lunch bag . He certainly didn’t think his few pieces of bread and two fish could make a big difference. But Jesus used it to feed a multitude (John 619-13)! God can do a lot with a little. He has given you talents to further his kingdom, and he wants to work through you. Don’t let them lie dormant, collecting dust. Be generous, be adventurous, and surrender them to him. Miracles just may follow!
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: How faithful have you been in your using your talents to further God’s Kingdom?
TIME TO ACT: Select one of your many gifts and put it to use today to further God’s Kingdom.
OFFER A PRAYER: Thank you, Jesus, for all the gifts you have given me. Help me to be aware of these gifts, that I may surrender them to you and use them cheerfully and generously to build up your kingdom.