You Have Something to Offer

When I meet with people who would like to become members of our church, I emphasize three points that I believe every Christian should know.  I’ve already explained the first two: God loves you, and it is important to spend time every day reading the Bible and in prayer.  The third message for us all to remember is:

You have something to offer.

God knows what he is doing when he brings people together as a church.  Each person has something unique to share that no one else can provide in the same way.  The Lord gives each of us an ability, passion, or resource that is essential for the church to be a healthy, thriving witness of his love and grace.  When we each use the gifts that God has provided, he is glorified, we are drawn closer to him and to each other, and our community and world are blessed.

The Bible refers to the church as “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27).  Our bodies consist of many components, and we need each of them.  If even one miniscule enzyme is out of whack, we suffer and may even die.  Just as we need every part of our bodies to function well, Christ’s body needs every one of us in order to be healthy.

Our bodies do not have spare parts, and they do not have useless parts.  In the same way, when God brought you into our fellowship, he equipped you with something vitally important for us all.  No exceptions.  If you do not use what God has given to you, we will all suffer.

Not all gifts are flashy and noticeable.  We may all recognize the gifts of worship leaders, teachers, and elders, for example.  But someone puts out the garbage each week.  Somebody invited that guest in worship sitting across from you.  Someone tends to the landscaping.  Someone made sure we knew an individual was in the hospital or is in need.  Someone put together this newsletter that you’re reading.  You may never know who these people are, but without them our church be only a shadow of God’s dream for it.

Unfortunately, God’s plans for our church do not always come to reality.

·         We may not know what our gifts are.

·         We may not be willing to use our gifts.

·         The church may not provide an opportunity to use our gifts.

When we do not provide what we have to offer, the church can get by somehow.  But it fails to be the thriving powerhouse that God desires.

When we use what God has given us to offer, something amazing happens.  Normally, when you give something away, you no longer have it.  But in the Lord’s wonderfully crazy way of running the world, when you serve and give, you receive and are blessed with exactly what you need as well.  Yes, there may be times when you are frustrated or weary.  But overall, providing what you have to offer will bring life to your spirit and draw you closer to God.

What do you have to offer?  If you don’t know yet, I encourage you to try out a few possibilities until you discover it.  And when you do, it may surprise you!