If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today (Deuteronomy 8:17-18 The Message).
As we continue to look at the development of our gifts and talents and how we deploy them, let us consider why we are given them in the first place. Before even considering my gift let me ask myself this question, is there a difference between a gift and a talent? And if so what is it?
We have read over the last few days that gifts are given by Jesus (Ephesians 4:7ff), we also read in scripture the once Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit gave gifts to the body of Christ, the church (1Corinthains 12:1-11; Romans 12:6-8). These gifts are many and varied. They are not restricted to just nine as some would have us think, since our God is bigger than that, and they are given so that the recipient can produce a harvest of spiritual fruit, see Galatians 5:22ff. If gifts are given by the Holy Spirit as directed by Jesus, then who gave us talents? And how do we use them? To answer this question we must first make the distinction between gifts and talent.
Talent is natural ability but the confusions come when we say of a talented person, ‘he or she is naturally gifted’. What we really mean is that ‘he or she is naturally talented’. That is, they have an inherited ability which has been passed unto them through the genetic process; father, grandfather, great-grandfather, or mother, grand mother great-grandmother all the way back to Adam and Eve. This why the talent is natural and not spiritual! Every individual on planet earth has some talent. On the other hand, spiritual gifts are given by…..Jesus…to those who are part of his body….the church. Your natural ability can be enhanced by receiving spiritual gifts from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Also natural talent can be disguised and passed off as spiritual gift!
Today don’t be misled, it is God who gives us the power or ability or gift to get wealth and become rich. So become a great ‘tither’. And as we progress in our walk towards him from the clutches of the prince of this world, satan, let us use our gifts and talents to build His Kingdom.
Pray this prayer with me: “Lord, thank you for the gifts that I have received by putting my faith in you. Thank you also for the talent I have received through inheritance, today a lay them at your feet and will endeavour to use them for you glory, in Jesus’ name amen.”
Read Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Romans 12:1-8, 1Corintians 12:1-11 and give to God his dues!
Pastor Bell's Words To Live By 
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