Weekly Devotional: Using Your God-Given Talents

Is there something that you are gifted at? Do you have a passion for dance or sports? Are you a talented public speaker or leader? Do you enjoy working with animals or building things?

Everyone has certain talents or God-given gifts that they are skilled in. For example, some people are very hospitable and relatable and know how to make people feel comfortable. Some individuals are talented businesspeople, teachers, musicians or parents.

These talents can be more than hobbies or even careers. These gifts can be used for the glory of God. Using your talents for God can allow you to be a part of advancing the kingdom of God, helping others, and improving the world around you.

Discover Your God-given Gifts

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17, NIV

James 1:17 tells us that every gift is from God. We all have different talents and God-given gifts, but they are all important and can be used for God’s kingdom.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is comparing the individuals in the body of Christ to different parts of the body. Even though each part serves a different purpose and has a different function, all are important in the whole and are needed for the body to function properly. It is the same with our talents; they are all different but each one serves a purpose.

Some people may know what their talents and gifts are. Other people may not be completely sure of their skills and strong points. There are various ways to find what you are good at including:

• Prayer: Matthew 7:7 tells us to ask, seek and knock. We can pray about and seek out our talents. God can give us wisdom about what our talents are. We can trust the Holy Spirit to lead us about our gifts.
• Asking Others: Asking others can also give us an idea about  our talents. Sometimes it is hard to see qualities and skills in ourselves but easy to see qualities in others.
• Pay Attention to What You Enjoy: What activities do you enjoy? Sometimes talents and interests align. From landscaping to fixing things, if you enjoy it, it can be one of your strong points that God has gifted you in.
• Practice: Talents do not develop overnight. They take practice and effort. For example, if you want to be a good baker, you need to practice and improve your baking. Even if you are naturally gifted in something, practice can help you grow in that area and become a good steward of your God-given gift.

Using Your Talents for God

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11, NIV

The Bible encourages Christians to be “faithful stewards” of our God-given gifts. Using your talents for God can help you find purposeful work and share God’s love. Depending on what your gifts are, you will most likely be using those talents in different ways.

There are many examples of ways talents can be used to show glory to God. If you are gifted in teaching, perhaps you can use your talents to help teach a Sunday school class at your church. If you are an artist, you might use your talent to create art that depicts events or that people can relate to. Do you find it easy to converse with others? Consider using that gift to ask someone who is lonely to lunch. Is cooking one of your talents? Preparing meals for a person who lost a family member could be one application of your talent.

Look for opportunities to serve God and use your gifts in your daily life. Using your talents for God might not look the same every day. Some days you may notice exactly how God is working through your talents; other days it may be more behind closed doors and you may not see how your gift is affecting others.

Even if you do not see how your talent is making an impact, it is important to let yourself be used by God because you may never know how you affected someone’s life.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16, NIV

Grand Canyon University wants to help you find your purpose. Our Christian university offers degree programs that encourage you to develop your God-given talents or gifts. If you want to learn more about College of Theology or GCU, click on the Request Info button located at the top of your screen.