Answer: We should use whatever gift we have received to
serve others, (verse 10).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Our Father is the Giver of all good and perfect gifts.
We possess nothing that was not given to us by Him. We,
therefore, must use the gifts He generously bestows upon us to the
service of others. And every child of God has at least one
gift to use in His service. Let us not bury the gift or
talent, or we will not hear the Master say, "Well done, good
and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I
will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's
happiness!" Instead, we will hear our Lord say,
"throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
(See Matthew 25:14-30.) As Ralph Earle states
in Word Meanings in the New Testament, our gifts "must
be administered as the property of Another, that is, as a steward
not a proprietor. Moreover it is given for the benefit of the
whole brotherhood, not for the possessor only."
Romans 12:6-10: "We have different
gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is
prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it
is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it
is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the
needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let
him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it
cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to
what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor
one another above yourselves."
1 Corinthians 12:4-6: "There are
different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are
different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in
all men."
Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you
do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from
the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are
serving."
James 1:17: "Every good and perfect
gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly
lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows."
