# 141 07/08/02 Our gifts from God bring responsibility

Gifts from God bring with them responsibility. God gives us gifts so that we may use them to bring glory to Him. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

When I was a teenager planning what I would do with my life, I thought that the only way to serve God was to be in fulltime Christian ministry. Our youth leader, Dan Solomon, very wisely helped us understand that we can serve God in secular careers. I am glad that he addressed that issue with us because I really wanted to be a teacher, felt that I had been called to be a teacher and was confused about forsaking that calling to serve in another career.

Some people do choose to use their gifts in fulltime Christian ministry. People with musical gifts may write or perform Christian music. I know a young man with an artistic gift who illustrates Christian greeting cards. A person with the gift of leadership may choose to lead a church as its minister. Many go into fulltime missionary work because they have gifts that enable them to reach the unreached.

God can use a gift that seems unrelated to ministry so that the person reaches many people. I read about a professional basketball player who had signed the “True Love Waits” commitment to abstain from sex until he was married. He was very bold in telling others about his commitment. His athletic gift gave him a larger audience to hear his testimony. He was truly using his gift to glorify God.

Even though a musician might be singing secular songs, she can testify about her faith through words and lifestyle to the many fans who listen to her music. A CEO of a large company can glorify Christ by the way he conducts business and treats his employees. A Christian teacher touches lives in a special way simply because she sees each student as a child of God.

Teach your child that he has a responsibility to use his gift in a way that will bring glory to God. That is the only way he will be truly fulfilled in his chosen career.