Don’t Neglect Your Gift
Paul writes to Timothy: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you." (1 Timothy 4:13-14)
This is an important verse in our theology of the ordained ministry. We're all called to ministry, but ordaining a minister usually involves other elders laying hands on you as a sign that your gift is true and agreed upon by the church.
But we're all gifted and called by God, ordained or not. Question: Are you using your gifts to honour God? Or are you neglecting the gift you have?
Don't Let Fear Stop You From Using Your Gift
I well remember a minister once coming to me and saying: "I want to challenge you to take up the call to ministry. Stop neglecting your gift!" That was 2012! It still took me a few years to heed the call.
How about you? What are you gifted with? Are you using it for God's glory, or neglecting it?
Practical Ways to Serve With Your Spiritual Gifts
Most churches have got many opportunities for you to serve. It could be music, or technical duties like doing sound or visuals on a Sunday. Are you gifted in those areas? Don't neglect your gift.
Maybe you're friendly and kind and you'd do a great job greeting at your church's door, or serving tea and coffee! Don't neglect your gift.
Maybe you're compassionate and caring, and you'd thrive in a visitation or counselling or outreach ministry. Don't neglect your gift.
Maybe you can facilitate groups well. Maybe it's time you start a small group, or oversee a ministry. Don't neglect your gift.
Maybe you're great with kids, and you'd be brilliant helping with youth or Sunday School. Don't neglect your gift.
Maybe you can organise, and you can help your church with events and such things. Don't neglect your gift.
You get the picture!
Serving in Your Gifting, Not Someone Else's
Also let me say this: don't do something that's not your gift. Don't sign up to greet if you're shy as can be! Don't do the computer if you find computers challenging.
This is why I don't get involved with the maintenance side of church! That would be disastrous! I need to do what I'm gifted at - preaching, teaching, music, pastoral things - and you need to do what you're gifted at. Thank God that His Spirit enables us in different ways.
Be intentional about finding a place to use your gift in God's kingdom, and don't neglect it.
Timothy needed that advice from Paul. So do we.
Paul urges Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift he's been given, and the same challenge applies to every believer today.