Stewardship and Your Spiritual Gifts
As we prepare for our SHE Leads Conference this year, the one thing that keeps coming to my mind is, “What are our Spiritual Gifts and how well do we use them?” A few weeks ago I had the privilege to sit down with a team of women and share “What Leadership Looks Like in the Church.” As I listened to each of them discuss their gifts, talents and where God uses them, I thought, “Wow, this is what a church team is supposed to look like. How often does that happen?” What I realized was the women’s ministry leader understood the women’s giftedness of her team and effectively used them where they were called. How often does that happen? The leader understood the women’s giftedness and effectively used them where they were called.
How often do we allow others to use their gifts or is a better question, how often do we encourage others to use the gifts God has given them?
If we would allow others to work in their giftedness, the church would function as a whole body and it would be a beautiful and balanced thing.
From Romans 12:6-8, we read the different gifts God gives to individuals. We each receive one of the seven listed: Prophesy, Service, Teaching, Encouragement, Giving, Leadership or Mercy. This is a gift that is given to us, we don’t get to choose this gift.
2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
How well are you practicing the gift God has given you? Are you fanning the flame that is within you? If not, why?
Your leadership will always be most natural, most effective and most influential when you lead from your gifts and strengths.
Read these wise words from Selwyn Hughes:
When you have no understanding of what your basic gift is then it is likely that you will go through life with minimum effectiveness and maximum weariness. When you do understand what your basic gift is, I promise you that you will go through life achieving maximum effectiveness with minimum weariness.
My prayer for you, as you read this, is that you would work within your giftedness and be a good steward of what God has entrusted to you for the betterment of the church. March on good and faithful servant.