Though Your Gift is Small

¹⁴ “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.-Matthew 25:14-17, 29 

When serving on retreat weekends we are often told, "Every job is as important as the next.  The person who cleans the potties are as necessary to a successful retreat as are the people who give the talks."  But we all know that the more humble jobs don't SEEM quite as important.  And when we don't feel important, we might not think our contribution matters.  And because we think it doesn't matter, we might not try as hard as we should to do a really excellent job.


That seems to be the problem in the parable of the talents.  The servant who only got one talent didn't feel like it really mattered what he did with it.  So he did nothing.  And so when we compare what we have to others and find we fall short, we sometimes just don't bother at all.


It's really not just about what others can gain from what we give.  That's part of it for sure.  But the spiritual and emotional growth we experience when we give what ever little bit we have is everything.  And when we give of the little bit, we are soon entrusted with more and more and more.


I will never forget how I trembled at the thought of teaching my first Sunday school class.  I know the kids learned that year... I could see it.  But what I took away from that experience was far, far more than I ever could have given.  And then I was entrusted with more and more and more until one day I found myself in charge of the Christian Education committee and organizing about 5 or 6 years of some really fun Vacation Bible Schools.  The growth showed up in my personal life too as I tried new things and found that I could do them.  I was so blessed by offering what little I had to give in that first Sunday school class.


One of my favorite songs from Hillsong is So You Would Come.  The best line in that song is:  Come to the Father, though your gift is small..."  Wait until you see what God can do with your gift... whether it is your gift of time, talent or treasure.  He will multiply it to feed the thousands, and he will also use it to grow you to brand new heights that you never knew you could reach.


Father,
Help us to use even our smallest gifts for your glory.  Thank you for what you do with our meager offerings of time, talent and treasure!  Amen.


Joys:  When I asked Cecelia what was special about her friend Noah (a friend at day care) she told me, "He built an ark!" remembering what I had taught her in Sunday school last week; getting a lot done at work yesterday; lunch with Daniel, Cecelia, Kevin and Chelsea