Gifted for others

..indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,

(Ephesians 3:2, NKJV).

Times and seasons present us with different beauties and wonders to behold.  Trees and variety of fruits that we grow and like, play a central role in the different scenes and food we take in.  We have learnt to expect different fruits and colours with the seasons, each of the plants playing its part in creation.  When we think of fruits, we have favorite fruits that we always wait to partake of.  Fruits are an important part of a healthy diet and thanks be to God, some grow in the wild waiting for someone to pick them – they provide us with food, rarely with little or no input from us.  Fruits and plants are God’s gifts of His provision to His children.  As I reflected on this, it occurred to me that the trees and plants which produce the fruits or grain, do so selflessly.  The tree does not at any time consume the fruit it produces, yet it presents it willingly for our pleasure.  The trees have no expectation of receiving anything in return for the fruits that they produce, yet, year in year out, they continue to supply our favourite fruits.  The effort of the tree or plant is for the benefit of others, not of itself.

Our reference verse above was made by Apostle Paul who acknowledged that God had given him a special kind of grace in the gospel for the gentiles.  He did not stop to think that the revelation and grace he had received was for his benefit or for his personal use, but clearly lets us know that it was for the advantage of the gentiles, that they may get to know the gospel (Ephesians 3).  In having this understanding, Apostle Paul implores the Ephesians that instead of worrying about his difficult circumstances, they needed to understand the purpose of God which was at work in his life.  Just like the trees which produces fruits for others, Paul understood that what he had was for the service of others, God’s grace through him was to reach others.

Beloved, to each one of us, God has given us gifts and talents which we at times take for granted.  Our talents and gifts are sources of provision, which many have used to reach, grow and help their communities, improving the lives of others.  Others have belittled their gifts and have kept them hidden without utilizing them, this is very much like the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  Each of the three servants was given some talents and two of them invested them to the profit of their master.  Unfortunately, one hid his talent in the soil and had no profit to give to his master.  In this parable, we learnt that the servant who did not employ his talent to profit was not only reprimanded but even what he had was taken away.  The word tells us that to those who had more talents, more was added to them.  My brethren, each of us has something that we are expected to employ in the Master’s use, the expectation is that we bear fruits in keeping with our equipping.  I do not know what your gifting or talent is, but whatever it is, remember it is for the Master’s use.  We have not been equipped for just ourselves but for the body of Christ.  Our different gifts are for making the body of Christ stronger and to bring it to perfection (Ephesians 4:12).  What you carry is for another person, a member of the body of Christ and you therefore cannot keep it to yourself or hide it.  God expects that we will utilize our gifts for the edification of the church and for the establishment of His Kingdom.

Thoughts

What are your gifts and talents?

How have you served others with them?

Where and why have you failed to employ you talents?