All of us know the surprise and shock of a call from the church nominating committee. The call may be an invitation to teach a Sunday School class or organize a churchwide event. It may be a request to serve on a special committee or serve as a church officer.
Whatever the invitation, the call catches us off guard. Surprise and shock overwhelm us as we ask ourselves how we could ever do such a task. Do we have the talent, the time, the devotion? A million questions flood our minds.
Some of us have the same questions about using talents or spiritual gifts that do not require an invitation from the church nominating committee. Some have the gift of encouragement, others the gift of helpfulness. Some have the gift of music or stewardship or caring. All of us have the gift of evangelism. Even if we feel unqualified to share the complete plan of salvation with a stranger, we can tell people that God loves them. We can show people God’s love in our actions.
The question to be asked about using spiritual gifts is the same one to be asked about accepting an invitation to serve God through a place of responsibility in the church: Will we do it?
Spiritual gifts are not given so God can brag about giving gifts. An invitation to serve is not presented so the church can complete its organizational chart. Spiritual gifts are given so they can be used to honor God and serve God’s people. Places of responsibility are offered so a church can effectively function in its life of worship, education, ministry and missions.
Our position is like that of the servants of the master going on a long trip as told by Jesus in Matthew 25:14-30. The servants were not asked if they wanted to be entrusted with their master’s wealth. Instead, he called them and announced that he was giving to each a percentage of his savings.
The announcement demanded a new level of responsibility and service. It is one thing to give advice about what someone else should do. It is entirely another when the decision and responsibility is ours alone.
In the story, two of the servants acted aggressively to their charge. They took what the master entrusted to them and tried to multiply it. Theirs was a risky decision. Investments might have failed. Purchases might have gone down in value. Still, the two servants appreciated the confidence of their master and wanted to use the gifts in the best way possible.
The third servant acted fearfully. His decision was to guard the wealth by burying it. At least he could preserve what the master had given him, he reasoned. It was the “safe” thing to do.
When the master returned, he scolded and punished the servant who buried the wealth entrusted to him, the one who was overcome with fear. To the two servants willing to use the gifts, willing to risk failure in the process, the master gave rewards.
Our response to the phone calls from the nominating committee and our use of spiritual gifts are like those of the servants. We can react fearfully. We can bury the opportunities in competing claims on our time. We can refuse to acknowledge the abilities to do the task. We can waffle in indecision, but not to make a decision is a decision in itself. Ministry opportunities will be missed in the church and in individual lives. But, like the third servant in the story, we may conclude such a course safe from failure.
We also can react aggressively. We can accept the opportunities to use our gifts and talents. Doing so will take time and effort. Not everything will turn out as we want. There will be challenges. We risk exposing ourselves to hurts and disappointments.
There also will be rewards. By saying “yes,” we put ourselves in position to touch lives with the love of God. We help God’s church carry out its mission of proclamation and service.
And like the servants, the day will come when our Master calls us before Him to give an account of the talents and opportunities entrusted to us. Is there any question which response will bring forth the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”?
Now, is there really any question about how we should use our talents and opportunities for the Lord?
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