Living GenerouslySample

Generous With Talents

You might not feel like a particularly talented person, and perhaps you’ve never wowed a crowd with your abilities, but the truth is that God has gifted you with particular skills and strengths. Part of living generously is learning to use our talents to bless the world around us. We all have talents that reflect whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable (Philippians 4:8).

Paul tells us there is one body (the church), made up of many different parts (1 Corinthians 12:12). To grow effectively, the body needs every part: the various gifts and talents of every member (1 Corinthians 12:22-23). The challenge this presents for the church is not to prize some (obvious, upfront) talents more highly, but to acknowledge and make space for a diversity of gifts and talents. We dare not feel either superior or inferior to someone else in our church, because of opportunities, or lack thereof, to use our gifts. We need to be so careful to celebrate and encourage all gifts and talents if we are to be the generous church we aspire to be.

Individually, we also need to know ourselves, and value ourselves. We each have a unique contribution to bring, for the glory of God and the good of others. There are you-shaped gaps in this world that only you can fill – and you get to enjoy filling them! It seems Mary understood this. Certainly, she was better at exercising her talents than the disciples were at valuing them. Mary’s talent was the tender and caring way she anointed Jesus’ feet, which would within days be nailed to a cross (Mark 14:8). Mary felt compelled to use a talent she had, and today we’re still inspired by her proactive obedience. Perhaps, like Mary, your gifts or talents are sometimes misunderstood or not taken seriously. Never forget what God, who gave you those gifts, thinks of them. The disciples were astounded – even perhaps horrified – by Mary’s act. She must’ve known they would be. She anointed Jesus’ feet anyway. You can expect God to use your unique gifting in unexpected, unorthodox ways too. He will give you courage and wisdom to deal with the haters or detractors or those who simply don’t understand.

The Quakers’ Book of Faith and Practice says, ‘Attend to what love requires of you’. It’s a beautiful summary of Mary’s generosity with her talents. She saw what love required (caring for Jesus), and she attended to it. It’s helpful for us to keep attending to what love requires of us too. May you grow in confidence as you recognize all the ways God has wondrously gifted you, and may you begin generously sharing your gifts with those around you. Let’s also look for ways to honour and encourage people whose talents don’t demand a stage or a spotlight but are crucial for the building up of the body of Christ.