Making a Difference With the Life You Have

[7] A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. [11] It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

1 Corinthians 12:7,11 (NLT)

God gives all of us gifts.
What gifts has God given you?

• Talents
• Kids
• Sports
• Skills
• Challenges

Even challenges and weaknesses can be gifts from God.
Are you using your skills and challenges to make a difference? To help others?

[14] “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. [15] To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. [17] So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. [18] But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

Matthew 25:14-18 (NIV)

What am I doing with the talents and abilities that God has entrusted me with?

What do you think using your talents actually looks like?

[20] The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Matthew 25:20-21 (NIV)

Why Don’t We Use Our Talents?

[24] “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [25] So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ [26] “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

Matthew 25:24-26 (NIV)

Fear is the reason that we become afraid to dream, hope, and care.

[6] For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. [7] For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)

Get rid of fear, and overcome it daily.
Decide to take action.

Don’t make a hole and bury it!
Fan into flame the gift of God!

How can you change today?