Use Your Talents

One thing that gets me down as a pastor is watching extremely talented people waste those talents by letting them sit idle. God has uniquely gifted everyone to serve Him, and we are expected to use those talents for His glory. When we do, there is a promised reward. When we don’t, it disappoints God, but it will also bring with it a consequence. Use your talent.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:26

“I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”

This passage comes from the end of the parable on the Talents. If you remember, three servants were given Talents by their master, who was going away on a long trip. The first servant was given five talents, the second was given two talents, and the third was given one. During the master’s absence, the first two doubled their talents while the third one buried his.

Practice What You Preach

No one likes someone who is all talk but no action. It’s true in the workplace and on the playing field. You either put up or shut up. The same can be said for those who follow Christ. There are some who want to give the impression they are wise when, in reality, they say it, but they don’t show it. James says to practice what you preach.

‭‭James‬ ‭3:17

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”

James is very clear when he says wisdom is shown, not spoken. Lots of people love to quote wise sayings but do not show the wisdom in their own life. They desire to tell others how to live but don’t want to emulate it themselves. A truly wise person is someone who speaks softly but lives loudly. Their actions scream much louder than their words.

Held to a Higher Standard

Teaching is one of the most honorable positions in society. Millions of teachers across the world go to their classrooms every day without fanfare and pour into their students. They will give much more than just the information in a book. They will give their time and resources to see their students thrive. One day they will be rewarded for their selfless effort. What makes these teachers so successful? They know they are held to a higher standard.

‭‭James‬ ‭3:1

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”
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James lets all those who desire to be teachers know that they will be held to a higher standard. They not only teach but set the standard for which their students follow. Students watch twice as much as they listen, so more is caught than taught. It’s more than practicing what you preach. It is understanding that the next generation is looking for someone to model themselves after.

Your Attitude Matters

This world would be a better place if people were more humble. There is so much pride and arrogance out there. Your attitude matters, and it can make a big difference in how your life turns out. Jesus tells us that if we exalt ourselves, we will be humbled, but we will be exalted if we humble ourselves.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:13-14

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus tells the parable of two guys who come to the temple to pray. One is a self-righteous Pharisee who is impressed with everything he does to be holy while looking down on the second guy, the tax collector. The Pharisee’s prayer is full of pride, while the tax collector’s prayer is one of humility. Jesus then asks the disciples which one went home justified?

The Good Works We are Called to Do

There is a lot of talk about cloning humans. Without a doubt, numerous laboratories around the world are working towards that. I understand the challenge that scientists see but what concerns me is that they will produce a whole new human race without any spirit in them. The spirit within every human is God-given, and it is by that spirit we can possess faith. Through faith come the good works we are called to do

‭‭James‬ ‭2:26

“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”

While you cannot get saved by doing good works, living for Christ without doing them is a dead faith. We worship, obey, and serve God out of our hearts’ gratitude for what He has done for us. We don’t do it out of obligation or to repay God. Our best work is “as filthy rags’ to the righteousness of Christ. James was still adamant that doing the work of the church was essential for every believer.

Rise Above the Rest

It seems like everyone is trying to stand out from the crowd. Some do it by trying to be the best or expert in their field. Others do it by attempting crazy things or screaming at the top of their lungs about an issue they are passionate about. Their main goal, although not stated, is to rise above the rest and be noticed. Daniel shows us, as Christians, how to rise above the rest for the glory of God.

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1:20

“As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.”

Daniel and his buddies took a risky stand when they decided not to eat the food sacrificed to the Babylonian gods. They asked for only vegetables and water. After a period of time, they not only looked better than the rest of the students, they were sharper in wisdom and understanding. This wasn’t about a vegetarian diet. It was about being obedient to God and honoring Him with their lives. When we do that, we rise above the rest.

Choose to Lose

There are too many Christians living miserable lives. Constant frustration and fatigue are plaguing them. The sad thing is that they don’t know how they got there or how to get out. Jesus offers us the solution in today’s scripture, but it may not be what you were expecting. He tells us to choose to lose our lives so that we will, in the end, preserve it.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:33‬

“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”

Jesus often said things that went against reason and rationale. Why wouldn’t someone try to protect their lives? Why would anyone want to lose it? What Jesus is trying to do is show people the way of faith. He doesn’t want them to trust in their own strength because that is what has gotten them and the nation of Israel into the mess they are in. Instead, He wants His disciples to give up everything to find the abundant life He possesses.

Choose to Forgive

Some family feuds have gone on for generations. Both sides have a hatred for one another that can’t even be explained. When you delve down to the root of the issue, you find the initial reason for the feud was petty, but it snowballed from there and turned into a war. If forgiveness would’ve been given from the start, it would be a different world. Don’t hold the offense against someone. Instead, choose to forgive.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:3-4

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

This passage isn’t about rebuking someone for sinning against you but about forgiveness. If he repents when you rebuke him, then you are to forgive. If he does it seven times for the same offense in one day and still repents, your forgiveness doesn’t change. It’s not about keeping score. It’s about but about settling the issue between you two, and forgiveness settles it.

Being Trustworthy

Want to be trusted in your job? Looking to get promoted and have more responsibility? Instead of kissing up to your boss, start by being trustworthy. Be that worker, your supervisor can go to when they need something done. Be the coworker who is there to help others even if you don’t get credit. Put time and effort into the small things and watch as God blesses them,

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:10

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.

Jesus had just finished telling the story about the dishonest manager who was going to get fired by his master. It tells of how he slashed the bills of everyone who owed his master money in hopes that they would show him favor when he was out on the street because he didn’t have the strength to do manual labor. Jesus uses that as a platform to talk about being trustworthy.

Leaning on God’s Promises

Did you know that there are over seven hundred promises in the Bible? One of my favorites says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Those are weighty words, and I have learned to trust them over the years. Are you leaning on God’s promises, or are you caught up in money worries? Be content. Trust Jesus to bring your through. Watch as you come out on the other side, stronger and full of faith.

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:5

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”

From the beginning, God has told Israel that they didn’t have to worry about anything. He would provide. Israel struggled with the faith needed to trust Him. God promised a land flowing with milk and honey, and Israel whined and complained the whole 40 years in the desert. God hasn’t backed down from the promise for His children today, yet many still struggle with trusting Him.