Word@Work Eph40 - Ephesians 4:7
Published: Thu, 11/20/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
EQUIPPED BY GOD
Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (NIV)
As we progress at work, we sit examinations to prove our knowledge-base, and go on courses to increase our skill-base. In theory, we could all be CEO, if there were enough jobs. But there are other limitations too. Nobody has the natural ability to fill every role, even if coached. So we are at our best when the demands of the job are matched by our natural aptitude and ability. The skill of management is to find those attributes, and put them to work in a creative mix of colleagues.
But the people of God operate somewhat differently. That is not to say that competence and efficiency should be outlawed in the church (although some Christians appear to think that is a virtue)! Natural talents may be of use to God, but that is up to Him. He has little use for excellence done in the flesh to please us; in fact He often uses people who think that they are nothing and have little to offer. He uses them because they trust Him and not themselves. They may be out of their own comfort zone, but they are comfortable knowing that they are serving their Heavenly Father who loves them and helps them. The real work of the body of Christ relies on supernatural skills that come from Him to achieve supernatural objectives, which will then glorify Him.
God gives these abilities to Christians just as He sees fit. It is not a question of important gifts being given to important people. He gives just the right gift to the person who He can trust to use it in the right way. Spiritual gifts are not toys to show off with, but tools designed for hard work. Because it is not easy to properly assess oneself, Christian fellowship provides a great opportunity to identify the gifts we have each been given, and to encourage each other in using them to God's glory ... even at work!
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for entrusting me with your grace. Help me to use what you have given to me for Your glory - and help me to encourage my Christian colleagues at work to use their gifts too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
As we progress at work, we sit examinations to prove our knowledge-base, and go on courses to increase our skill-base. In theory, we could all be CEO, if there were enough jobs. But there are other limitations too. Nobody has the natural ability to fill every role, even if coached. So we are at our best when the demands of the job are matched by our natural aptitude and ability. The skill of management is to find those attributes, and put them to work in a creative mix of colleagues.
But the people of God operate somewhat differently. That is not to say that competence and efficiency should be outlawed in the church (although some Christians appear to think that is a virtue)! Natural talents may be of use to God, but that is up to Him. He has little use for excellence done in the flesh to please us; in fact He often uses people who think that they are nothing and have little to offer. He uses them because they trust Him and not themselves. They may be out of their own comfort zone, but they are comfortable knowing that they are serving their Heavenly Father who loves them and helps them. The real work of the body of Christ relies on supernatural skills that come from Him to achieve supernatural objectives, which will then glorify Him.
God gives these abilities to Christians just as He sees fit. It is not a question of important gifts being given to important people. He gives just the right gift to the person who He can trust to use it in the right way. Spiritual gifts are not toys to show off with, but tools designed for hard work. Because it is not easy to properly assess oneself, Christian fellowship provides a great opportunity to identify the gifts we have each been given, and to encourage each other in using them to God's glory ... even at work!
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for entrusting me with your grace. Help me to use what you have given to me for Your glory - and help me to encourage my Christian colleagues at work to use their gifts too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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