Take Inventory

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3 

In my pre-teen years, I remember my brother and me running into the house from playing and being stopped dead in our tracks by the delicious aroma of a fresh baked pound cake or apple pie.  After stopping and licking our lips, we would always say, “Mom, who died or who is sick?”  It seemed that when mom baked, someone was sick or had passed away.  Little did Mike and I know but mom was using one of her God given spiritual gifts. We did know that we weren't going to get any and we didn't like it!

Of course with age comes wisdom.  Mom was teaching us, not with just words, but with actions.  Wouldn't it have been a tragedy for mom to bake only for the family? In times of other’s needs, she was always there with a pound cake or hot apple pie.

As Christians, each of us has been give one or more spiritual gifts from God. When was the last time you have used one of your gifts?  If it has been a while, there is no time like the present.  Inventory yourself and find that precious gift, dust it off and USE IT.  Just remember, start with love. Without love, no one benefits.  Good deeds without the love of Christ can make one boastful and proud. We did not bestow the gifts on ourselves, but they are from our Heavenly Father. THANKS BE TO GOD!

Written by Rod Mauney