A gift for everyone

A GIFT FOR EVERYONE

 

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us (Rom. 12:6 NIV).

 

The first church I pastored was a little frame building in a patch of woods at the end of a dirt road. We began with just a handful of common, hard-working folk. I'll never forget those precious people, and I'll always be indebted to them. What I lacked in experience, I tried to make up in enthusiasm — and they put up with my youthful exuberance.

 

One man in this group was talented in playing stringed instruments. He could pick up a guitar or banjo and play any song in the hymnal. Since his wife could play the piano, it seemed natural to put them in charge of the music. Another woman was a good bookkeeper, so she became the treasurer. Each person was given some responsibility, determined primarily by a gift or talent.

 

But one man seemed to be talentless. He couldn't sing or teach or keep books. But he faithfully attended church. I soon discovered that he was also punctual. I could never get to the church ahead of him. I realized the natural position for him to hold was that of janitor.

 

God gives His believers gifts to use in building up the church, for edifying the body. Each has a part to play. No one should say, "I don't have any gifts!" God sees to it that you do!