1 Timothy 4:13-14
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
The church is the body of Christ. We care whether our body is healthy. In the same way, the Lord cares whether his body is healthy and filled with vitality. Health is determined by how well every part performs its function and how well every part works together in the body. God gave every person in the body different gifts. Some people have the gift of teaching. Some people have the gift of comforting others. Some people have the gift of music to serve God. Some people serve God through writing and art. There are also some people who don't have any interests, but they like to do general affairs. Every Christian has different gifts from God. What are your gifts? If you don't know your gifts yet, you need to reflect: What is the role God wants you to play and what function he wants you to perform in the church? If you already know your gifts, then you need to value your gifts and not neglect them.
People like to compare, always envying the gifts God gave to others, thinking those are the "big" gifts. They think the gift God gave to them is small and insignificant. This may be the problem Timothy has. Timothy sees Paul as the servant greatly used by God, traveling and evangelizing everywhere, who can give a gospel invitation and so many people respond and commit themselves to the Lord. But for Timothy, his health is not good, he is the pastor of the most difficult church to shepherd, and no one notice him. He thinks God didn't give him much of a gift, even if he has the gift, it is small and he can't do much with it!
What is a big gift? What is a small gift? The question depends on from whose eyes are looking at it. Is it from man? Or is it from God? In God's eyes, every gift is important. If everyone is a traveling evangelist, then who will shepherd the local church? If everyone only knows how to teach, then who will do the work of caring and comforting? Like in a body, not every part is a hand, otherwise wouldn't it be a monster? That's why Paul reminds us every gift is important, whether it is naturally from the Holy Spirit or through the laying of hands from the elders. We need to value them, not neglect and look lightly upon them. Only when every person works together according to their gifts, then the whole body can function properly. Do you know your own gifts? May the Lord help you to use your gifts!
Pray with Pastor Tong
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