But...what are you really capable of?

I think Christians sometimes confuse the idea that since life isn’t guaranteed to be easy once you embrace your relationship with Christ then that must mean that we are doomed to a life of struggling and mediocrity. I really don’t believe this is the case at all and I am sure many of you don’t either. But, as we strive to push forward and we decide to accept our position in Christ you are likely to encounter those that have this belief and will question your motivation for more.

As I wrote several days ago…it isn’t our position to judge other people, and I am very thankful for that. So the person that decides to be satisfied with very little…I am not going to judge, just as I won’t judge the person that desires more and more. But, I also would like to see more people opening up to the idea that God desires to bless us and prosper us. For far too long it has been accepted teaching that we should not pursue more and more. And we shouldn’t…if all we are doing is pursuing things for the sake of having more things. But, if we are doing it because we have been blessed with certain gifts and abilities to produce great things…then to do any less is dishonoring to God and it is like the servant who went and hid his talent so he wouldn’t lose it rather than produce more with it.

I strongly believe that many Christians have bought into this thinking…either somewhere in the back of their mind or perhaps they are very open and honest about it. And this has pushed back the thinking of other people to the point where it has hampered the effectiveness of Christians all over. Even for those that think they are on board with the idea that it is a Christians place to be blessed; even for these people, many times they will be almost apologetic for what they have. While we certainly don’t need to boast about what we have we shouldn’t find ourselves in the position of ever having to apologize for it either.

The basic idea here today is that we shouldn’t handicap our potential to fit into somebody else’s limited thinking. If you are finding yourself producing less…in any way, shape, or form than what you are truly capable of because of what other people may think than I believe you are buying into the enemies plan to lessen your overall effectiveness for God’s kingdom.

Matthew 25:15-30 – “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' "His master replied, '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!' "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' "His master replied, '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!' "Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. " 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”

Just some thoughts for the day. Let me know what you think at Word for the Day.

Have a blessed day,

RodZ

© 2008 – Rodney Zimmerman – All rights reserved