How can we discern when to use our gifts to "usher us before great men"? The Foundational Text Proverbs 18:16: “A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.” The Principle in Plain Sight • God designs gifts to create space and opportunity. • When the moment is of His choosing, those gifts transport a believer from obscurity to influence. • Scripture presents this as a reliable pattern, not mere possibility. Who Are the “Great Men” • Individuals in positions of authority, influence, or decision-making. • People whose choices ripple outward, affecting many lives. • Not automatically righteous; greatness refers to stature, not necessarily character. Recognizing Your God-Given Gift • Romans 12:6 – “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” • 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” Clues that identify a genuine gift: - Consistency: the ability shows up repeatedly, not occasionally. - Fruitfulness: results honor God and benefit others. - Affirmation: mature believers confirm what they observe. Marks of God’s Timing 1. Inner Stirring Aligned with Scripture Colossians 3:15: peace from Christ acts as the internal umpire. 2. Open Doors Beyond Human Engineering Revelation 3:8: Christ opens doors no one can shut, confirming divine timing. 3. External Need That Matches the Gift Joseph’s dream interpretation (Genesis 41) met Pharaoh’s crisis exactly. 4. Wise Counsel Endorsement Proverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” 5. Absence of Self-Exalting Motive James 4:6: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. 6. Evident Readiness David’s harp skill (1 Samuel 16) was already honed when Saul’s court called. The Motive Check • God’s Glory First: 1 Corinthians 10:31 commands that everything be done for His glory. • Service Over Spotlight: gifts are tools for ministry, not trophies for ego. • Kingdom Advancement: alignment with the Great Commission and edification of the body. Testing the Opportunity - Compare circumstances to scriptural principles. - Confirm through prayerful waiting rather than impulsive action. - Yield to closed doors as readily as open ones, trusting divine sovereignty. Living Examples • Joseph’s administrative insight preserved nations (Genesis 41). • Daniel’s prophetic wisdom influenced multiple empires (Daniel 2, 5, 6). • Esther’s royal position saved her people (Esther 4:14). Practical Steps for Today 1. Catalogue your abilities and passions on paper, acknowledging the Source. 2. Commit them to God daily, asking Him to deploy them at His discretion. 3. Serve faithfully in small settings; promotion belongs to the Lord (Psalm 75:6-7). 4. Maintain teachability, sharpening skills even when no spotlight is on them. 5. Celebrate every instance where a gift meets a need, great or small. A Closing Encouragement The God who bestows gifts is faithful to schedule their unveiling. Walking in humility, readiness, and discernment ensures that when His moment arrives, the gift will indeed usher you before great men—ultimately for the advance of His kingdom and the honor of His name. |
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