Our gifts are intended for the edifying (Improving) and building up of the church, but they must be used.

A gift can never use itself. Many people remain in the neutral position thinking the gift will use them, but it doesn’t work this way. Anything in the neutral position can be pushed at the desire of the opposing force. The neutral position can be worse than reverse, it’s simply out of control.

The operation of a gift takes power (spiritual and physical), motivation (keeping ourselves in the elements that encourage the usage) and desire (once you have experienced, you can’t get away from it).

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

…….The hardest part in the first steps of ministry has to be the denying of self. Because the carnal mind is so focused on pleasing the flesh, the enemy will target our emotions intensely. When we are controlled by our thoughts and emotions, we deny the ministry of the cross.

Those who stay in concern of what their personal opinion is rather than staying focused on Christ are in lack of the ministry of the cross. The cross is so overwhelming with its greatness and at times with its struggle, that there becomes no time for mental distraction. No doubt the enemy will throw detours in the way, but we remain on the strait and narrow. “Denying self” is the first step in acquiring the gift.

Matthew 10:38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

…….we are either all in or all out.

The Neglect of the Talent

Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

…….There is a risk we take when we spend our energy and time in ministry. Some of the risks can be mentioned as; what will people think of me, how will people receive my words, no one likes me anyway, I’ll never be good enough.

All of these are emotional thoughts, it is a lack of denying self.

Though we are afraid as the servant mentioned, we cannot let our fear distract the work of God. When he speaks, it is our duty to conform and comply. Fear is ok as long as it doesn’t control you.

Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

…….Though the servant knew the consequences of not working, he still refused and the Lord showed no mercy to his setback.

Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

…….If he calls and appoints us to a task, we must trust that he will see us through.

We are known by the “result” of our works.

Tit 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

…….When something is known to be pure, it has been tried or put to a test. People who are pure and truthfully dedicated to their gift are people who are undefiled and can not be fooled. Those who are not pure are easily convinced by nay sayers and constantly looking for a whisperer. Their conversation will always end with tearing down rather than lifting up. The result of this is a contaminated conscience.

Tit 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

…….on the outside they appear to know of God. The walk is visual and the routine is religiously intact, but when this person opens up and feels comfortable in your presence, you see and hear the intention of the heart. This person is in reprobate (mental opposition) to the work of the Spirit. When the work of the Spirit is in operation, there is a wall erected and sometimes even collision.

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

…….We have to come to the point of knowing if God is in it or not. Learn how to evaluate a situation, comparing to scripture and “what Jesus would do” in every circumstance.

Completely known or completely unknown, there is no in between.

Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

…….Once again, we will be known by the producing of fruit. When we operate with our God given gift, fruit will be produced. Your relationship with Christ determines how much, and the caliber of fruit produced. Some people (never the true church) will reject it, and the hungry will receive it with gladness. When our fruit is expended, the Spirit will purge us and cause us to bare fruit continuously.

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

…….Just because we have a routine of coming to church and following a set of orders and standards does not mean we are approved. Our worship must be more than lip service, it must be of the heart.

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

…….More than anything in this life, we must make it! We only get one shot at this life and we dare not miss the mark!

Ask yourself right now, what am I doing with my gift?

A Natalie Grant song says this:

Help me want the Healer more than the healing.  Help me want the Savior more than the saving.  Help me want the Giver more than the giving.  Help me want you Jesus more than anything.

What are you in it for? The blessing or the blesser?