Each According To His Ability (Part 7)

As we close out this series, I just want to encourage you to not live in isolation (Hebrews 10:25). You were not meant to do everything yourself. Find what you are good at and partner with others who have complementary gifts.

God gives each of us according to our ability (Matthew 25:15). But it's always His will for us to use what He's given us to its fullest potential (John 10:10). That can only happen in community. We were made to be one of a larger whole (Romans 12:4-5).

Find who complements you and live life to the fullest!

Have a great rest of your week!

God bless,
J.W.

Series Recap - Each According to His Ability

• Part 1: Operate In Your Function
• Part 2: Be Content With Where You Are
• Part 3: Manage The Small Stuff Well
• Part 4: The Power To Produce Wealth
• Part 5: Avoid Comparisons With Others
• Part 6: Do Not Live In Isolation

Each According to His Ability (Part 6)

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them..." ~ Romans 12:4‭-‬6 NKJV

There's a reason we all have different gifts.

Because God doesn't intend for us to live in isolation.

Rather, man is designed to live interdependently. That is, that while each of us is responsible for managing our own individual gifts and talents, we also have a responsibility to use our gifts for the good of the whole.

Don't believe me? Check Romans 12!

In it, the Bible says that we are members of one body. While we all have different functions, the body is designed to work in concert with itself. In order words, each of us make up a part of a body that ultimately works together as one.

That is why I encourage folks to find what they're good at and partner with others in the areas they are not.

We weren't designed to do everything on our own. God gives us a function so that we might edify the body, not just ourselves. But when we function in isolation, we actually operate in dysfunction.

So, how are you functioning today?

God bless,
J.W. 

Each According to His Ability (Part 5)

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." - 2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

Let's talk about comparing ourselves to others.

In short, comparing ourselves to others is foolish.

Why do we do it?

God says He's given each of us according to our own ability (Matthew 25:15). He gives each of us a measure of grace (Ephesians 4:7) and faith (Romans 12:3). In other words, we are all different, uniquely and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

So then, comparing myself to someone else makes no sense. Rather, my measuring stick should be my own potential, not the status, power, or ability of someone else.

In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul warns against such comparisons. In fact, he calls them unwise (2 Corinthians 10:12). Instead, Paul instructs us to measure ourselves "within the limits of the sphere which God appointed to us" (2 Corinthians 10:13).

God has given each of us a race to run, a purpose to accomplish (Hebrews 12:1). You may not be the fastest or the quickest, but God doesn't measure us against other people. He measures us within the sphere that He's given us.

What's your measuring stick today?

God bless,
J.W.

Each According To His Ability (Part 4)

While each of us is given our own gifts, talents, and abilities, there are some abilities that God gives to all of us. Those include: (a) the ability to move mountains (Matthew 17:20) and (b) the power to loose and bind (Matthew 16:19)

One ability that we often miss or ignore, however, particularly in Christian circles, is found in Deuteronomy 8:18.

God says He has given us the power to get wealth. And while He gives some of us more of this ability than others (Matthew 25:15), He's given all of us this ability in some way, shape, or form.

That said, most Christians wait on God to do miracles in their lives, particularly when it comes to their finances. We often take a Red Sea approach, assuming that God will step in and create miracles out of thin air.

But Deuteronomy 8:18 says that God has given us the power to get wealth. That means we must be active participants in our wealth accumulation.

Yes, God parted the Red Sea, but the Israelites had to participate in their escape from Egypt. Moses had to be obedient and confront Pharaoh. The Israelites had to be obedient and follow Moses to the wilderness. And ultimately, Moses had to raise his staff in obedience to God's Word for the sea to part. The Israelites, led by Moses, were active participants in their deliverance.

The same is true when Jesus fed the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21. God provided the increase but the boy and the disciples provided the raw materials.

In short, God wants to give us increase but he's waiting on us to act.

Make no mistake, this is not a prosperity, name-it-and-claim-it message. The Bible does NOT teach that everybody is called to be rich. Rich Christians are NOT better nor more faithful than less well-to-do Christians. Again, God gives each according to our ability (Matthew 25:14-30). Some of us are called to be rich and have more resources. Some of us are called to have less. The Bible even says that the poor will always be among us (John 12:8).

We all have a responsibility to manage what we have well.

What the Bible DOES teach is that God will supply all of our need (Philippians 4:19). The Bible DOES teach that we are to be the head, not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). That applies whether we're rich or poor. And while wealth looks different for everybody, God unequivocally says that He's given all of us the power to produce it in some way.

The question is, how are you using that power today?

God bless,
J.W

Each According to His Ability (Part 3)

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will make you ruler over many things." ~ Matthew 25:21

Culture's method for elevation involves some combination of the following: manipulation, talent, intelligence, knowledge, hard work, determination, persistence, luck, money, charm, assertiveness, aggression, networking. In other words, society tells us we need these things to succeed.

But the Kingdom's method is revealed in Matthew 25:14-30.

For God, elevation doesn't come because of our talent, charm, or skill.

Psalm 24:1 says that "the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Do we really think that God can't find someone else with gifts?

No, God says that He can find more talent. What he's looking for is faithfulness and stewardship, particularly in the small things (Matthew 25:21).

If we manage the small things God gives us with diligence and wisdom, God will bless us with more.

In Christ, we don't have to manipulate our way to the top. We simply have to be dedicated to managing the small stuff well.

How are you managing the small stuff today?

God bless,
J.W.

Each According to His Ability (Part 2)

God knows us intimately, so much so that the Bible says that the hairs on our head are numbered (Matthew 10:30).

So, when God gives "each according to [our] ability," why is it that we complain it's not enough?

Jeremiah 29:11 says that God "knows the plans [He] has for [us], plans to prosper [us] and not to harm [us], plans to give [us] a hope and a future." Yet somehow we don't trust Him.

Our lack of trust in God makes no sense. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that God won't tempt you more than you can bear. So maybe God gives according to what He knows we can bear at the moment. We're asking for more, but God knows what we can handle.

So, be careful what you ask for. God knows what He's doing. He won't give us more than we can handle. He gives to us based on our ability.

God bless,
J.W.

Each According to His Ability (Part 1)

This culture we live in seems to be obsessed with two things - popularity and fame. Kids grow up wanting to be like celebrities. Adults idolize and admire the same.

But the Bible says that God has plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) - specific, distinct, and individualized plans. Matthew 25:15 says that he gives us talents, "each according to his ability." Romans 12:6 says we're each given different gifts, "according to the grace given to each of us." Romans 12:4-5 says that although we are one body, we all have different functions.

Part of the problem with our culture nowadays is that we have too many "eyes" trying to be "ears." And too many "feet" trying to be "hands."

God has given you gifts, no matter how small, because you have a special function He wants you to play. Your gifts have been given to you for a reason. But that reason will never come to pass if you're trying to exercise someone else's gift.

Are you operating in your function today?

God bless,
J.W.