SERVE: Goodbook 09-15-15

your gift = your opportunity to serve

Have you ever thought of it that way? When we think about the gifts or abilities we have, we tend to think of the kinds of opportunities they would provide for work or money or fame. Those aren't necessarily bad things. But the Scriptures make it clear that God has given each of us gifts and abilities with a very specific purpose in mind. God gave us gifts so that we would have opportunities to serve and bless others.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms," (1 Peter 4:10).

We bring God's grace to others in various forms when we use our various gifts to serve others. So what gifts do you have? What are you naturally good at? Your gifts might include reading, writing, music, numbers, speaking, memorizing, organizing, financial planning, athletics, teaching, acting, art, drama, strategic planning, fundraising, facilitating, cooking, etc. What are you naturally good at? That is a gift. Your gifts might also be in the form of resources - income, savings, property, portfolios, etc. Those are gifts from God as well.

What gifts do you have? The follow up question is just as important. How are you using your gift(s) to serve others? If you are good at math, how are you using that gift to serve others? If you are good at music, how are you using that gift to serve others? If you have a piece of property, how are you using that gift to serve others?

your gift = your opportunity to serve

God has blessed us with lots of gifts and lots of opportunities to serve others. Every gift we have is like a present that someone else can open and discover God's grace.  So here is a challenge for this week...

1. Get a blank sheet of paper and write down ever gift you have.
2. Draw an arrow next to every gift. Write down how you are using that gift to serve others, or write an idea for how you can use that gift to serve others.
3. Use whatever gift you have received to serve others.

Let me know what you come up with. Share your comments and application ideas below...