From Gifts to Impact

Have you ever received a gift that you weren’t sure what to do with? Maybe it was something that you didn’t really need or want, or something that you didn’t know how to use. It can be tempting in those situations to just set the gift aside and forget about it, or to try and give it away to someone else. But what if that gift was actually something special, something that had the potential to change your life or the lives of others?

This is a concept that is addressed in 1 Timothy 4:14, which says, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” This verse reminds us that we should not neglect or quash the gifts that have been given to us, but rather we should use them to the best of our ability.

But why is it so important to use our gifts? One reason is because our gifts are not just for our own benefit, but they are also meant to be shared with others. In Romans 12:6-8, it says, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

This passage reminds us that we all have different gifts and abilities, and that we should use those gifts to serve others and bring glory to God. Whether it’s through teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, or showing mercy, we are called to use our gifts to make a difference in the world.

There was a man who was given a gift of a hammer and nails. At first, the man was confused by the gift and wasn’t sure what to do with it. But as he began to use the hammer and nails, he discovered that he had a natural talent for carpentry and was able to use his gift to build and create things that were not only useful, but also beautiful. And as he shared his gift with others, he was able to help others in ways that he never could have imagined.

This story illustrates the importance of not neglecting or quashing the gifts that have been given to us. We may not always understand or appreciate the gifts that we have been given, but if we are willing to use them and explore their potential, we may discover talents and abilities that we never knew we had. And when we share those gifts with others, we have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world and to bring glory to God.

So what does it mean to go from gifts to impact? It means recognizing the value of the gifts that we have been given, and using them in a way that makes a difference in the world. It means using our gifts to serve others, to bring joy and hope to those around us, and to bring glory to God.

As we consider our own gifts and how we can use them to make an impact, let us remember the words of Ephesians 2:10, which says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are not just recipients of God’s gifts, but we are also His handiwork, created for a purpose and called to good works. Let us not neglect or quash the gifts that have been given to us, but rather let us use them to make a difference in the world and bring glory to God.