As a teacher I once had to take paper from a child and give them a zero because they were changing their answers as the class graded the assignment together.  This child did not think of it as cheating until she was caught and even then she asked me to believe that “everyone does it.”

In Acts 5:4b Peter confronts Ananias and Sapphira.  “Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?  You have not lied to men, but to God.”  They wanted everyone to think their offering was all of the money they gained from the sale of their property.  Without really saying so, they just brought their gift and laid it down, hoping it would look like enough even though they had kept some of the profit for themselves.  They thought they’d get the chance to explain away their lie if they were discovered, but God knew their sin was in their hearts, not just their actions.

Many of us have gifts and abilities that are God-given and yet we cheat Him and ourselves by letting those around us think that we’re giving our all to Him when we’re not.  Many of us give the very least possible of our time and talents…not to mention our other blessings, holding back some of what God gives us as if His abundance is not enough.

Often we forget that God is the one  who gave us these abilities and He knows the things we can do in His strength.  As I write, I find particular joy in letting God breath words onto paper through me and I almost never feel as though I accomplished these few lines alone. 

Many of us think we don’t have any talents because we’re not asked to sing in front of the church or we don’t feel smart or righteous enough to teach a class, but God gives us so many gifts.  I have one friend who can stretch a modest paycheck to pay for almost anything her family needs.  I have another friend whose hospitality knows no limits, and another who has a unique talent for bringing those who are new to the church deep into the fold so they feel as if they’ve always been a part.  Yet each of these Godly women doesn’t really think of herself as talented, just obedient. 

Ask God right now to show you the talents He’s given you so that you can lay it all before Him in loving service.  You have abilities.  Are you letting God lead you in their use?  Are you letting Him have all of your talents and abilities?  He has given them to you so that you might be a blessing to others, all the while knowing that living the life He designed for you will bring you immeasurable joy and peace.

Janet Sikes Anderson

Copyright 2003