Romans 12:4-6 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. The world might spotlight your talents, but only God sees your true worth. In an age where everyone be seen… fewer people than ever seen. What if talents were never meant to be about us? - It’s time to taking our worth cues from this world. God isn’t with the talents that HE gave you. But He’s so proud of you when you use them for HIS glory. The gifts of God combined with an insatiable desire to see God glorified can make an eternal impact. The gifts of God combined with insecurity and self-glorification can make a mess. The most destructive thought when it comes to stewarding our talents… is that we don’t have any. The most dangerous thought… Talent matters more than character. - The giftedness is usually greater than the person. 2 Corinthians 4:7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. So how do we handle talents ? Don't let the world define your worth—let God reveal your gifts. 1. GOD HAS UNIQUELY GIFTED ME. 1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. If God is the giver of the gifts… WHY would you want to be like anyone else? 2. GOD HAS PLACED ME. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Acts 17:26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. 3. GOD IS PREPARING ME. "When a man has put a limit on what he will do, he has put a limit on what he can do." -Charles Schwab Will I let myself be formed? To maximize our talent, we must do the things that require no talent. 2 Peter 1:5, 8 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises…. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. "The talent that is on you will destroy you if what's inside you can’t sustain you." - Christine Caine 4. GOD IS SENDING ME. 1 Corinthians 12:7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.