Gifted Believers

I Timothy 4:14 (NKJV)
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

When God gives a gift it is given because of His grace. We cannot earn it and we do not deserve it. If fact, we actually deserve the opposite. But God gives gifts in grace and mercy. Salvation is a gift of God we cannot earn and it is completely given by means of grace. God also gives each believer specific gifts for the sake of His kingdom.

Paul gives us instructions as to how to go about using these gifts. We should not neglect the gifts that God gives us. God has a purpose and plan for each of us. We need to intensely seek to accomplish the plan that He has for us individually. We need to use His gifts for this purpose. The word ‘neglect’ has the idea of being careless with something or making light of it. Christ gave us salvation and it cost Him His very life and the gifts He gives at salvation are also very valuable. Paul encourages us to get going and use our gifts to the fullest extent throughout life. This takes desire, commitment, love for God and staying in His word and prayer daily.

In verse 15 Paul tells us to meditate on these things. We need to think of every way possible that we can utilize God’s gifts to be a fit soldier for His kingdom. We then need to be given over entirely to the use of His gifts and callings in order to have progress in maturity and usefulness for His work.

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he tells us to stir up this gift. He says, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands”, (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV). We need to kindle or set aflame our desire for Christ and use our gifts for His pleasure. In the next verse Paul tells us not to be timid when serving God. He says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). Do not be fearful when using the gift that God has given you. Be bold in His power, but always operate in love. We need to have a sound mind and plenty of love to accurately represent Christ to the world. Ask God how and where He can use you and He will show you where to get involved.

Thoughts, comments, objections, prayer requests.

Daniel A. Smith