Being satisfied with your gifts is helpful for any person and is the Lord’s desire. As people, it is easy to become jealous because of someone who has a gift or talent you wish you had. Our enemy, satan, is always at work trying to tempt people to make them feel dissatisfied. Thus, he wants you to think that God is mistreating you.
As the Lord helps us grow in faith, He calls us to focus on the gifts we have. Don’t worry about those you don’t have. Each person is unique. The Lord gives us gifts that are unique to us and His plan for our lives. Is there a gift the Lord has given you? Do you have a passion for serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, mercy, or another gift the Lord has given you? How has the gift the Lord has given you made a difference in the lives of others? Some of the humblest people I know don’t even realize how they touch other people with their gifts.
All Gifts are Important
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to address believers who were discouraged because they did not have a particular gift. Paul used the illustration of different parts of the body to convey that every gift is essential and all are needed. 1 Corinthians 12:14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.[1]
Like the body, for a church to work correctly, all believers must work together using their gifts to build the church. Whatever gifts the Lord has given you are necessary to carry out the Lord’s plans for your life and the body of Christ.
Using Your Talents for God
God’s word encourages believers to be faithful stewards of the gifts the Lord has given us. When we use our talents to help others, we find God’s plan for our life unfolding as we use them to share God’s love. We can use our gifts in many ways to show glory to our heavenly Father.
If you are a gifted teacher, you could use your talent to teach Sunday school or lead a Bible study. If you are an encourager, your presence and kind words can build people up, making a significant difference in their lives. My mother enjoyed cooking and taking meals to people going through a difficult time in life.
Ask the Lord how He would like to use your gifts to serve others. Don’t be surprised when the Lord answers your prayers. It is then that your gifts begin to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. [2]
To learn more about being satisfied with your gifts, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/worship-as-the-body
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Co 12:14–15). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 5:16). Tyndale House Publishers.