HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 14
page A12
Abilities See also Habits; Planning; Strengths & Weaknesses
Deep within the human spirit is a desire, and a capability, to do wonderful things. Because
we were made in the image of God, we inherited from him the desire to create, to accomplish, to make things happen. But why would God give us these desires unless he also
gave us the way to fulfill them? Abilities are God’s gifts to enable us to carry out whatever
he created us to do. As we use and sharpen these abilities, we find great joy in living out
our God-given purposes. How we use or misuse these abilities ultimately determines our
quality of life—quality defined, not as comfort or the accumulation of things, but as character, joy, and lasting satisfaction. Our goal is first to discover our abilities, then exercise
them, and finally channel them toward good rather than evil. God has given all of us certain
abilities. Life is more fulfilling when we exercise them for his Kingdom glory and purposes.
What if I don’t feel like I have many abilities?
• E PH E S I A NS 4 :1 1 -1 3 | Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church . . . to equip God’s
people to do his work and build up the church . . . until we all come to such unity in our
faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord.
God has empowered each of us with special abilities; no one is left empty-handed. But
how we use these abilities is up to us.
Will God ever ask me to do something outside of my abilities?
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• E X O DU S 4 :1 0 -1 2 | But Moses pleaded . . . “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never
have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and
my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who
decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it
not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to
say.” (See note on page 55.)
God will help us in important areas where we lack ability. If God is asking you to do something, he will give you the ability or extra resources to get the job done.
• E PH E S I A NS 3 :1 8 | And may you . . . understand, as all God’s people should, how wide,
how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
The number of abilities you have is not related to the degree of love God has for you. God
loves all believers wholly and unconditionally, so much so that he sent his own Son, Jesus,
to die in our place so that we could live forever with him.
How should I use my abilities?
• 1 T I MOT H Y 4 :7 -8 | Train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for
godliness is much better.”
Properly exercising our abilities will help us grow spiritually.
• MAT T H E W 2 5 :2 1 | “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in
handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.”
You can exercise your God-given abilities and become highly skilled at using them. But
they will be truly impactful only if you use them to serve God and others.
Can God use my abilities even if they aren’t “spiritual”?
• 1 K I NG S 7 :1 4 , 4 0 | Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze. . . .
So at last Huram completed everything King Solomon had assigned him to make for the
Temple of the Lord. (See note on page 307.)
Talents and abilities, though personal, become spiritual in purpose when used to honor God.
It’s easy for me to be jealous when others seem to have more abilities than me.
How do I deal with that?
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 1 2 :9 -1 0 | I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the
insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak,
then I am strong.