If only I had gifts like other people!  If I had what they had, I know that I would be a much better steward of the Gospel.  It would make logical sense that if we had more to steward, there would be more stewardship. But know that this is actually the devil talking! He has been getting human beings to think that God is holding out on them since the Garden of Eden! What a liar!  When we listen to him, we too buy into the lie that we don’t have the gifts we need.

You have the simple gifts which the Lord wills you to have. We may not have the gifts we WANT, but we most certainly have the gifts we need! After all, they are His gifts. He gives them freely. Jesus is one of those gifts. Your life is a gift. All that you have to support this body and life are gifts!  All you use to support the Gospel of Jesus Christ are these gifts! His gifts used for the sake of the neighbor for the glory of God! One Spirit.  One Church. Varied gifts all coming together to do amazing things for the world!

If you think you don’t have gifts, consider the timeless hymn, “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying”

   “Let none hear you idly saying, “There is nothing I can do.’

   While the multitudes are dying And the Master calls for you.

   Take the task He gives you gladly.  Let His work your pleasure be;

   Answer quickly when He calleth, ‘Here am I, send me, send me!”

                                                   (LSB 826:4)

Prayer

Father in Heaven, You give every one of us unique and varied gifts. These gifts are to be used for Your kingdom. Grant me the grace today to confess that I have the gifts You desire me to have for the sake of my neighbor and extension of the kingdom of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lead me by faith to say, “Here am I, send me,” to use those gifts! Amen

Noreen E. Wenstone

Stewardship Chairperson