“What God Gave You Was Not Just for You”
INTRODUCTION — WHAT GOD GIVES, HE EXPECTS TO BE USED
Every believer comes into the Kingdom empty-handed in one sense—we bring nothing to earn salvation. But once we are saved, Scripture is clear: we do not remain empty-handed. God places something into every life He redeems.
- The problem is not that believers lack gifts.
- The problem is that many believers underestimate, neglect, or bury what God has entrusted to them.
The apostle Peter frames this clearly:
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”
Notice the assumptions in this text:
- Each has received a gift
- Gifts are meant to be used
- Gifts are stewarded, not owned
- The ultimate goal is God’s glory
I. EVERY BELIEVER HAS RECEIVED A GIFT
Scripture leaves no room for the idea that gifting is reserved for a spiritual elite.
1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
#Virtualamen: If you belong to Christ, then something of God has been placed within you for the benefit of others.
Paul reinforces this again:
Romans 12:6 (ESV)
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…”
Gifts are not medals for maturity—they are expressions of grace. You do not earn them; you receive them.
Biblical Example — Bezalel (Exodus 31)
When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, He did not merely give a blueprint—He gifted a man.
Exodus 31:2-5 (ESV)
“See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: (3) And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (4) To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, (5) And in cutting of stones, to set [them], and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.”
Bezaleel’s gifting was not preaching or prophecy—it was craftsmanship. Yet Scripture says his skill was Spirit-filled. This teaches us that God values gifts we sometimes label as “ordinary.”
God gifts:
- Thinkers
- Builders
- Organizers
- Encouragers
- Leaders
- Servants
#Virtualamen: No gift is insignificant when God is the giver.
II. GIFTS ARE GIVEN FOR SERVICE, NOT STATUS
One of the great distortions of gifting is when gifts become a means of visibility rather than service.
Paul addresses this directly:
Romans 12:4–5 (ESV)
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
Gifts exist to make the body function, not to make individuals famous.
Jesus Himself set the standard:
Mark 10:45 (ESV)
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If the Son of God used His power to serve, then our gifts are never an excuse for self-promotion.
Biblical Example — Dorcas (Tabitha)
Acts 9:36 (ESV)
“Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha…(Dorcas) She was full of good works and acts of charity.”
Her gift was compassion expressed through action—and when she died, the community felt the loss deeply. When she was miraculously healed, many souls came to Christ as her testimony spread. Her life proves that faithful service leaves an eternal imprint.
III. GIFTS CAN BE NEGLECTED, MISUSED, OR BURIED
Not all stewardship failures are loud. Some are quiet.
Paul warns Timothy:
1 Timothy 4:14 (ESV)
“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you…”
Neglect happens when:
- fear silences us
- disappointment discourages us
- comparison paralyzes us
- comfort dulls us
Jesus illustrates this with sobering clarity.
Matthew 25:24–29 (ESV)
“(24) He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, (25) so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ (26) But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? (27) Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. (28) So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. (29) For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” [Matthew 25:24-29 ESV]
The servant was not condemned for losing the gift—but for doing nothing with it.
Paul also warns against misuse:
1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
Gifts exercised without love become noise, not ministry.
IV. GIFTS GROW WHEN THEY ARE USED
God does not expand what we refuse to engage.
Matthew 25:21 (ESV)
“Well done, good and faithful servant… You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.”
Faithfulness always precedes increase.
2 Corinthians 9:10-13 (ESV)
(10) He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (11) You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. (12) For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (13) By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others
Paul exhorts Timothy again:
2 Timothy 1:6 (ESV)
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…”
Gifts require:
- Courage
- Practice
- Obedience
- Persistence
They do not mature through inactivity.
V. THE GOAL OF EVERY GIFT IS THE GLORY OF GOD
Ultimately, gifts are not about fulfillment—they are about faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Your gifting is not random. God prepared good works before you arrived, and then He gifted you to walk in them.
The eternal perspective is clear:
Daniel 12:3 (ESV)
“Those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the stars forever and ever.”
CLOSING — WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH WHAT GOD PLACED IN YOUR HANDS?
Jesus does not ask if we were impressive. He asks if we were faithful.
Luke 16:10 (ESV)
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…”
- Some gifts are public.
- Some gifts are quiet.
- Some gifts will never be applauded on earth.
- But none of them are overlooked in heaven.