Topic: Be Diligent in Developing Your Gifts and Abilities [Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa] Above Only Daily Devotional 26 June 2020
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Be Diligent in Developing Your Gifts and Abilities
Matthew 25:19-21 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, … And so he that head received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliverst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee …
What are you doing with the gifts and abilities that God has given you? You were born naked but not empty. God has loaded you with so much ability and potential and He wants you to be fruitful and productive with them. Do not be afraid to develop and make use of your gifts and abilities. The reason that David was recommended to King Saul to play his harp in the palace was because David had discovered, developed and was making use of the abilities that God had given him, 1 Sam. 16:18. Joseph did not start using his gift of interpreting dreams when Pharaoh had a dream. Right from the prison, he had started using his gift. The right way to use your gift is to use it in serving others. In the Good News Bible, 1 Pet. 4:10 says, “Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God.” In Mark 10:43-45, Jesus said the secret of greatness is service. Use your gifts to serve others. Solve problems, meet needs and add value to the lives of others. In the place of service, you will both discover and develop the abilities that God has given you. Get busy serving with your gifts and stop being idle.
Stop hiding your gifts and abilities. Surface and develop them. Do not leave your gifts and abilities in the same way God gave them to you. Instead, expand and grow them. Get training. Turn your talents to skills. You will give account to God of what you have done with the gifts that He gave you. As you remain diligent in developing and using your gifts and abilities, God will continue to elevate and promote you. Just like with Joseph, David and Daniel, God will use you and your gifts to provide both national and global solutions.
Prayer Focus:
Thank God for the abundant grace, wisdom and boldness that He has given you to develop and make good use of your gifts and abilities.
Bible in one year reading plan:
- Job 8-10
- Acts 8:26-40