All of us have used tools at one time or another. They make our work easier and more effective. Depending on the size of the job, tools may be large and sophisticated; or smaller and simple. Yet without them, even the simplest of tasks (ever tried to remove a screw without a screw driver?) can be difficult.
Of all the tools that God could have chosen to do His work on earth, He chose human beings to be His hands and feet. We are imperfect and flawed, yet God made us in His image to have a relationship with Him and to use us to build His kingdom to honor Him.
Note Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” The treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The jars of clay are you and me. This is how God works. It shows how powerful the gospel is. It can transform imperfect lives in a way that God is honored and people are drawn to Him through His servants.
Not only are we the tools that God has chosen to use, He also places three basic tools in our hands that we can choose to use to accomplish his purposes.
TIME… God gives us 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week. His desire is that we use it to accomplish His purposes, but it’s up to use to make that choice with that time. At times Christians will say, “I don’t have time to give for that.” While it’s true we can’t do everything, the fact is, we make time for the things that are most important to us.
Do we put a premium on reserving time for God and His work? Are we making good use of the time He gives to us? Paul has some thoughts on this in Ephesians 5:15 & 16, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” The King James translation reads, “redeeming the time.” In other words, make good use of the time God gives us, because “the days are evil.” There are people all around us who need to hear about the love of Jesus Christ and their need for a relationship with Him.
TALENT… The Bible refers on many occasions to the church as a body with many parts, each one with its own unique function for the good of the body. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1) Sacrifice is giving up or surrender; willingly giving of ourselves and the talent that God has given to us to do His work here on earth.
In Romans 5:5 Paul notes, “…so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Every person, every talent is needed in the work of the kingdom. No one is more important than the other. Are we using the gift that God has uniquely fashioned in each of us to help build His kingdom?
TREASURE… There is a saying that’s been around for a while, “If you want to see the story of a person’s life; to see what their priorities are, just take a look at their checkbook!” That probably needs to be updated to say look at a person’s online account, but you get the idea! Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” How we use money says a lot about what is most important to us. We need to be responsible in paying our bills, and keeping our financial commitments. But of all the things that money can be used for, the work of building God’s kingdom should be top priority. God always blesses those who do this.
To be effective tools in God’s hands requires that we be willing to be used fully by Him. We will be effective tools when we are willing to use the tools that God has given us. Let’s allow God to work through us so that He is honored and people are drawn to Jesus Christ.
by Keith Dimbath, Laborlink Work Team Director
