Abililty: January 30, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JANUARY 30, 2012

ABILITY

DEFINITION:

Having the means or power to be or to act.

SCRIPTURE:

“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability.” Matthew 25:15

If anyone speaks he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves he should do it as with the strength which God provides so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. I Peter 4:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

When we think of the word ability we are reminded of three distinct types of people we have known and worked with over the years.

There was a person that comes to mind that worked with us in the ministry. This person was not doing the job that was expected of him and other people in the ministry thought, as we did, that he could do much better. But after several conversations and additional training he never improved.

The reason he did not improve became very clear to us. He was happy in his comfort zone coming to work every day and doing just enough to get by and then going home. He had great ability but never seemed to have the desire to take advantage of the abilities God gave him.

We have known others with possible limited ability that worked hard at every task given them and made sure that what they did was done beyond what was expected despite of their limited ability.

And we have also worked with people that always had the attitude that they could do anything and do it better than others. Many times they overestimated their ability and could not produce what they said they could.

We have shared with you three types of people. Those that have great ability and do not use what God has given them. Those who may have great ability or little ability but they always work over and above what is expected of them and excel in what they accomplish. And finally you have the person who talks the talk, saying nothing is impossible for him to accomplish, but cannot walk the walk. The result is always failure.

In the verse we have put above from Matthew we read part of the parable that Jesus preached about the talents. It was very evident as you read this parable that Jesus knew that there were those that had more ability than others. In this parable Jesus makes it clear that He expects us to use whatever talents He has given us to the best of our ability. What counts with God is not how much we have to offer Him but about how well we serve Him with what we have.

In his writing to the church at Corinth (II Corinthians 8:3) Paul commended the church at Macedonia for their sacrificial giving in spite of their deep poverty. They did not have much but they gave according to their ability and YES they gave beyond their ability. God wants us to give back to Him beyond our ability.

Some people say they have no abilities or special talents that the Lord could use. This is not true. Everyone has some ability. In I Peter 4:6-11 Peter lists things that everyone has the ability to do. We all can show love to one another, be hospitable to one another, serve one another and to speak the Words of God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 1:3.

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Thank you for the abilities You have given me and help me to be faithful in using them to show love to others. Help me to be able to train my children to love You and use their abilities in serving You.