Your Gift is Great, Do Not Neglect It

“¹⁴Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” — 1 Timothy 4:14 (ESV)

Paul is speaking to Timothy here and he is reminding him to utilize the gift that was given him. It is easy to move on to things that may seem to give more in return and step away from the gift that was given to us.

I know for me it was many years ago that I was asked to be a Sunday school teacher for the youth in my church. I accepted and truly enjoyed it, although life got in the way and I was pulled into my work and away from the teaching. As time went on, I was given the opportunity to become a trainer for my company and after only a few weeks realized that I had found my career. I would have gotten here a few years before had I only been focused on finding and using my gifts as it was and is in teaching that I have the impact.

I am still in the field of learning and development and know that I am right where I belong. I am no longer neglecting the gift I was given by God. I am here to live out my life bringing glory to Him in the way that He has planned for me. I may not know what is around the next corner in my career, although I do know that it will certainly be in the field of learning and development as I continue to enhance my gift and use it in my kingdom purpose.

Timothy was out in the world doing the work assigned by God through Paul. Paul stayed in contact with him to encourage and guide him in the work. I believe that this passage is a great one to lean on as it shows that the work will be completed, but only through the continued dedication to the work and using the gifts given by God to accomplish them.

“¹⁵Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” — 1 Timothy 4:15-16 (ESV)

The work done and the gifts used will bring glory to God and touch the lives of those around you. I have embraced the gift of teaching and where it may not seem like much, I know that I am touching the lives of everyone that I come in contact with through the glory of God and His work.

What is your gift? Are you using that gift for the glory of God and to touch others? What if you were focused on the gift God gave you, enhancing it and using it to touch the lives of those around you?