T2: Talent

The Rev. Thomas W. Simmons IV

Every one of us is good at something.  We all have “talent on loan from God.”  Most people spend their first 20-30 years discovering their talent and developing it into a vocation that will hopefully keep them happily and profitably employed for the years at ahead. Good stewardship, at every stage in life, means discovering and developing your various talents and putting them to work with gusto.

We work because that’s how God made us.  We pray in the Eucharist “You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into at our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures" (Prayer D, BCP p. 373).  The Work of every human being derives from that original calling.

Just as God worked to fashion the cosmos so we, who are made in his image, all labor in different ways to craft things that are beautiful and useful from his creation.  God calls us each to play a unique role in this work, whether we are three years old or ninety-three, and he gives us special aptitudes that make us suited to our unique callings.  Stewardship of talent means doing "the work he has given us to do" and to doing it well, playing to our strengths, enjoying the fruit of our labor and offering it all to God for the benefit of the world.

But God's call doesn't just relate to your work in this world.  There is another kind of work to which each Christian is called.  It’s called ministry.  God intends every follower of Jesus to serve others and build up the Church.  To help us do this he gives us spiritual gifts, which motivate and empower a wide spectrum of abilities, interests and visions and make different people effective in different ministries in the Church.

Some people are gifted with mercy, wisdom and empathy for pastoral care. Others are blessed with knowledge and skillful communication for teaching.  Still others creative gifts and a care for people to offer hospitality.  There are also those who have organization, energy and judgment for leadership.  Some are endowed with wealth and generosity to fund the ministries and visions of others.

These are just a few of the more obvious' at ways people are called and gifted to build up and bless God's people.  Everyone has a unique and vital role to play. Stewardship means discovering your spiritual gifts and calling from God and finding ways to use them in the life and mission of the Church. 

God has given gifts for ministry to every Christian, so each one of you has something to offer others in our parish community.  God calls you to exercise those gifts among his people.  How has God blessed you with at resources, talents, abilities and ideas?  What are you doing to be a good steward of these things for the glory of God and the benefit of his people and the world?