Gifted

Paul warned in Romans, "I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think" (Pom 12:3). It is interesting that he did not offer the reverse advice -- "or too lowly." I suspect it's because "more highly" is our default. I suspect we all tend to that error.

For instance, I'm pretty sure we all tend to think we come to the table with something to offer. Maybe it is skills or talents. Maybe it is ways of thinking or ways of doing. Maybe it is information or resources. Maybe it's just faith or even good works. We are contributors and we know it. And the truth is we do bring what we have to the table. We do participate in God's work. But we need to be careful. In his first epistle to the church at Corinth Paul asks, "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Cor 4:7). We understand this is a rhetorical question; the answer is assumed. Let's put it in a statement format rather than a question. "You have been given everything you have. You have nothing to boast about."

Do you see the implications? You have talents, skills, resources. You have faith. You have ideas. You have a lot or a little to offer, but you have something. This text says what you have to offer was a gift. We even reference that in the world. We refer to people with special ability as "gifted." It is true, but it doesn't go far enough. Each of us is gifted by God everything we have to offer. Thus, offering it is an act of stewardship, a grateful response to the God who gave it. This thinking kind of undercuts our sense of importance and replaces it with gratitude, doesn't it?