What Are You Doing with the Gifts God Gave You?
Scripture
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith… if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach… if it is to encourage, then give encouragement.”
— Romans 12:6–8 (NIV)
God has uniquely gifted every one of us. Some gifts are easy to recognize—leadership, teaching, music, or creativity. Others are quieter but just as impactful—encouragement, compassion, generosity, wisdom, hospitality, or the ability to make someone feel valued.
The world often measures success by popularity, wealth, or influence. God measures faithfulness. He isn’t asking you to have someone else’s gifts; He’s asking you to faithfully use the ones He entrusted to you.
Imagine a flashlight with brand-new batteries sitting in a drawer. It has everything it needs to shine, yet it never fulfills its purpose because it’s never turned on. Many of us do the same with our God-given gifts. Fear tells us we’re not good enough. Comparison convinces us someone else can do it better. Comfort whispers that we’ll use our gifts “someday.”
Meanwhile, there are people waiting for the encouragement, kindness, wisdom, or service that only you can provide.
Jesus illustrated this in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25). Two servants faithfully invested what they had been given and were commended. One buried his gift out of fear and missed the opportunity to honor his master. The message is timeless: God calls us to be faithful with what He’s placed in our hands.
Maybe your gift is mentoring someone at work, welcoming a visitor at church, writing words that bring hope, starting the business God has placed on your heart, serving behind the scenes, or faithfully praying for others. No act of obedience is too small when it’s done for God’s glory.
Today, ask yourself:
What are you doing with the gifts God gave you?
Don’t wait until you feel perfectly qualified. Throughout Scripture, God has consistently used ordinary people who were simply willing to say, “Yes, Lord.”
The gifts He gave you were never meant to stay hidden. They were meant to shine for His glory and make an eternal difference in the lives of others.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for creating each of us with unique gifts and a unique purpose. Forgive us for the times we’ve allowed fear, doubt, comparison, or comfort to keep us from using what You’ve entrusted to us.
Open our eyes to the opportunities You’ve placed before us today. Give us the courage to step out in faith, serve others with humility, and use our gifts to glorify You instead of ourselves. May our lives reflect Your goodness, and may every talent, ability, and opportunity point others to Christ.
Help us remember that faithfulness matters more than fame, and obedience matters more than perfection.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Have a blessed day!
Rev. Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.org
