On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life - Part 30: Time and Talent IV

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 RSV)

We are accountable to God for what we do with whatever He has entrusted to us. Christ says, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.” This includes the gifts of the talents given to us. What talents have been given to you by God? Do any of the following describe you?

To exercise the gift of service is to identify closely with the needs and problems of others, not providing answers or solutions, but being willing to work with them, no matter how small or how big the task may be. This gift involves a willingness to "pitch in" and do whatever is needed, no matter how detailed or tedious the task. Do you have the gift of service?

Do you have the ability to communicate with others? Do you enjoy sharing knowledge, experience and information with others? Those gifts are badly needed in the Orthodox Church. Carrying the Tradition to the next generation is vital to the ongoing strength of Orthodoxy. Do you have the gift of teaching?

There are many and varied gifts, talents and abilities that people have that can be shared in the Church. That sharing of talents is a part of everyone’s stewardship. After all, everything, even our individual abilities, have been given to us by God. These abilities actually belong to him. We are merely caretakers of what He has given us. And He expects to have what has been given to us to be returned to Him.

What other gifts, talents, or abilities do you have that we have not mentioned here? Cooking? Cleaning? Caring for liturgical things? Shoveling snow? Cutting the grass? Sweeping the sidewalk? Electrical? Dusting? Making coffee? Serving food? The list can go on and on. Your parish church, wherever it is, is in need of the gifts, talents or abilities that you have. Tell your priest or Parish Council president what gift God has given you. Ask how that gift, talent or ability can be used in your parish.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one.”

This weekly series of brief thoughts on stewardship and Orthodox life is brought to you by your Diocesan Stewardship Commission.

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