The Holy Spirit – Final Gifts

Sunday Morning Bible Study

October 13, 2013

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision Is the church loved?

As most of you know, Pastor Chuck Smith, the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, went home to be with Jesus early on the morning of October 3. There will be a memorial service for Chuck on Sunday, October 27, from 5-8pm at the Honda Center. Because the seating is limited, they will also be webcasting the service. We will be opening up the church and participating in the webcast right here.

We continue our current series on the Holy Spirit by looking at the last few gifts of the Spirit.

Final Gifts - 1Corinthians 12:10-12

:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

We won’t be talking about prophecy. We covered it a few weeks ago.

Miracles

(1 Co 12:10 NKJV) to another the working of miracles…

working – energema – thing wrought; effect operation

miracles – dunamis – strength power, ability; power for performing miracles

Definition: Something supernatural.

Examples of Miracles

In a sense, much of Jesus’ ministry would be called “miraculous” whether it was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), feeding the multitudes (John 6), or walking on water (Mat. 14:25)

Warnings

1. Hoaxes

Christians are famous for being gullible. Not every miracle is genuine.

Play Peter Popoff and Johnny Carson clip

I think that hoaxes like these are pure evil. They cause some people to believe a lie. They give reasons for others to think that all of Christianity is a hoax.

2. May not be from God

The miracle may be genuine, but Jesus talked about false prophets performing genuine miracles. (Mat. 7:22-23)

(Mt 7:22–23 NKJV) —22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

God said (Deut. 13:1-3) He’d allow false prophets to do miracles as a way of testing whether or not we really love the Lord or just the miracles.

(Dt 13:1–3 NKJV) —1 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

3. No guarantee

Some of you have friends who have told you that they will believe if they were to see a miracle. That might not be honest. Even when Jesus did miracles, people didn’t always believe.

(Mt 11:20 NKJV) Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:

4. Adulation

When Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra (Acts 14:8-18), Paul healed a lame man, and as a result, the entire town turned out to worship them as gods. A few days later, this adoring crowd had turned against Paul and Barnabas and stoned them.

And yet miracles do happen.

For example, if you go to the Gospel for Asia website (gfa.org) you can read firsthand accounts of the miracles that God is doing in India.

Discernment

(1 Co 12:10 NKJV) …to another discerning of spirits…

The Greek word for “spirits” is plural and can refer to God (the Holy Spirit), things demonic, or even the human spirit.

discerning – diakrisis – a distinguishing, discerning, judging.

spirits – pneuma – spirit. The word can identify many different things.

Some have limited this to strictly whether or not something is demonic, but I’m not so sure of this. The Greek word for “spirits” (pneuma) doesn’t speak of only demonic things. The word is plural (spirits), so it would seem to be talking of the distinguishing of one kind of spirit from another.

Discernment is all about figuring out whether something is of God, demonic, or even just from a human. Humans have a “spirit” too.

1. Divine

It can speak of the “divine” spirit, as in the Holy Spirit. Is this thing I’m looking at from God or not?

2. Angelic

By this I mean the demonic. Demons are fallen angels. They can have influence over people.

3. Human

It can have a human element, either in referring to a person’s own spirit, or in talking about the attitude that a person has (as in a “spirit of fear”).

Definition: Distinguishing what is of God

The need for the gift

In various industries, there is a concern for “quality control”.

Play BEST Sorting Company movie clip

Discernment is all about getting the “bad stuff” sorted out.

Jesus warned us that there will be people who will be claiming to speak for God, but aren’t.

(Mt 7:15 NKJV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Discernment helps us tell the wolves from the sheep.

I think we have a great need for “discernment” for many different things in the church. There are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes in life that we aren’t aware of, but will affect us. Some people aren’t what they claim to be.

I think that sometimes I lack discernment. I am learning that I need to take advantage of those who have demonstrated a gift towards discernment.

I’m learning to slow down in some of my more important decisions and learn to ask for people’s ideas. I’m listening not just for wisdom, but discernment.

(Pr 11:14 NKJV) Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Example of the Gift

God was using Phillip, and a revival broke out in Samaria (Acts 8)

At the same time, there was a magician named Simon who developed his own large following of people. But even he came to believe in Jesus.

Then Peter and John showed up, prayed for the people, and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

(Ac 8:18–23 NKJV) —18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

Being “poisoned by bitterness” is an issue with the human spirit.

Peter knew that something was wrong with this fellow. He knew that something was wrong with his heart.

Warning

Discernment or judgmental?

We can fall into a trap of thinking that it is necessary that we have an opinion about everything. And we let people know what our opinion is. And it’s usually negative.

I am not convinced that this is discerning of spirits. Pastor Chuck called it the “gift of suspicion”.

When David was king, he sent his ambassadors to King Hanun to offer words of consolation on the death of his father.

(1 Ch 19:3–4 NKJV) —3 And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?” 4 Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.

Having suspicions or negative thoughts about someone doesn’t mean you have discernment. You might just have a “critical spirit”.

On the other hand, we need to be careful that when a person has the gift of discernment, that we aren’t quick to label it a “judgmental attitude”. They may indeed be pointing out some “negative” things, but it may be the Lord’s discernment. Sometimes only time can tell which it is.

For those of us who might not have “discernment”, we do have God’s Word.

(2 Ti 3:16–17 NKJV) —16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The more we learn God’s Word, the better equipped we are to tell right from wrong.

We also need to practice

(Heb 5:14 NKJV) But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

“Reason of use” means that we practice, practice, practice.

Using Discernment

1. The witness of the Spirit

Sometimes the working of discernment is simply by a “witness of the Spirit”. You just know deep inside that this is right (or wrong).

(1 Jn 2:26–27 NKJV) —26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

You often hear people use the phrase, “It just doesn’t bear witness to me”, or, “It just doesn’t seem right”. Though this idea can be much abused and become an excuse to not listen to the truth, the Holy Spirit will often give a sense of confirmation that something is the truth.

2. God’s Word

God’s Word gives us some specific things to measure truth by. There is great value in using God’s Word along with the discerning of spirits. It’s one thing for a person to say, “it just doesn’t bear witness” but it’s another thing to point to Scripture and say, “Here’s what God really says …”

Again, as with prophecy, you’ll learn more and more how to recognize God’s voice the more familiar you are with it. Spend time in the Word. Learn what God’s heart is all about.

3. Take time to ask “what now”?

As with many of the gifts (wisdom, knowledge, prophecy), part of learning to use the gift is not just in receiving the information from God, but in learning how and when to act upon it. Sometimes God wants you to pray. Sometimes God wants you to confront.

Tongues

(1 Co 12:10 NKJV) …to another different kinds of tongues…

kinds – genos – kindred; offspring; family; stock, tribe, nation

tongues – glossa – the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech; a tongue; the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations

Definition: Speaking in an unknown language

This is not about learning a second language through hard work and study.

The Holy Spirit has the ability to help you speak in a language you’ve never learned before.

It could be a human language. It could be an angelic language. Paul wrote,

(1 Co 13:1 NKJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels…

The place of tongues

Some people make you think that you aren’t truly spiritual unless you have the gift of tongues. Yet tongues is always listed last among the gifts (1Cor. 12:28)

Paul tells us that not all will speak with tongues (1Cor. 12:30)

Tongues are not “THE” evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the evidence of the baptism would be power to share the gospel (Acts 1:8).

Paul tells us that if a person has the gift of tongues but doesn’t have love in their life, the gift of tongues is just noise.

(1 Co 13:1 NKJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

Benefits of tongues

1. Praise

Tongues can be a good way of expressing our praise to the Lord.

(1 Co 14:15–17 NKJV) —15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

When Paul talks about “pray” or “sing with the spirit”, he’s talking about tongues.

16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

Though Paul’s point here is to talk about how important it is in church to do things with “understanding” (in English) so we can build each other up, he does give us a hint as to what goes on with tongues.

Singing, blessing, and giving thanks can all be done with tongues, and done “well”.

Some of the most beautiful worship times I’ve been a part of happened as people began to quietly sing in their tongues to the music that was being played.

I believe this is what was happening on the day of Pentecost. I believe the content of what the disciples were speaking was praise to God (also in Acts 10:46)

(Ac 2:11 NKJV) …we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Sometimes there just don’t seem to be any words to express how wonderful our God is. Sometimes when you find yourself in His presence, you just don’t know how to say what you are feeling.

Tongues is a way of expressing what you don’t know how to express.

Savonarola, the fifteenth century Italian reformer, said, “When prayer reaches its ultimate, words are impossible”. I think that it’s at times like this when tongues can be of a benefit.

2. Prayer

We don’t always know how to pray.

(Ro 8:26 NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The Spirit knows what to pray for better than we do. Sometimes that is expressed by praying in tongues.

Sometimes we may not know what to pray for. Sometimes we know what to pray for but we just don’t know how to express it.

3. Building yourself up

The gift of tongues builds up the individual who is speaking.

(1 Co 14:4 NKJV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…

Illustration

It’s sort of like taking vitamins. Vitamins help your body to grow strong and healthy. We may not notice the full benefit of taking vitamins until we’ve stopped taking them for a while. Praying in tongues is a way to build yourself up.

I think this is what Jude may have been referring to when he wrote,

(Jud 20 NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Paul used the term “praying in the spirit” (1Cor. 14:14) to refer to praying with tongues. It is possible Jude meant the same thing.

I have come across folks through the years who say that the fact that tongues builds up the individual shows that it is a bad thing. They say that this is the opposite of love because love “seeks not its own” (1Cor. 13:5).

But if James tells us that all of God’s gifts are good gifts (James 1:17), then tongues is a good gift and not a bad gift.

If the gift of tongues is a good gift, then it is not wrong for you to be built up when you speak in tongues. We read our Bible, pray, and go to church for the very same reason, because these things edify us.

I need to be edified. I need all that God has for me.

Receiving the gift

You can just ask God for this gift. You can ask for someone to lay hands on you. But sometimes the gift comes through the strangest ways.

The issue of helping: As with the other gifts, there are examples in the Scripture where people received the gift through the laying on of hands by others. There are also examples of people receiving the gift with no help from others.

For years, Pentecostal churches have embraced the practice of “helping” people to speak in tongues.

Sometimes a person is encouraged to speak a certain phrase like “Abba”, or sometimes they will physically manipulate your jaw to get you to start speaking. Some have suggested saying the word “glory” over and over and over again until your tongue gets tired and the words becomes a bunch of gibberish.

For years, I’ve struggled about whether or not this was a legitimate thing to do. After all, I don’t seem to read about the apostles needing any “help” on the day of Pentecost. It doesn’t even seem as if they were expecting anything like the gift of tongues. It just happened.

But to be honest, there are examples in Scripture where a work of God was “helped” along. One such example is the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment.

(Mt 9:20–22 NKJV) —20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

It wasn’t the hem of Jesus’ garment that brought the woman’s healing, it was her faith. But she had told herself that if she could just touch the hem, then she would be healed. When she touched Jesus’ garment, she released her faith and received her healing.

It could be that this “helping” along of the gift, for some, might be the thing that helps them receive the gift of tongues.

Pastor Chuck tells a story of a woman in his church who had been learning about tongues and had greatly desired to receive the gift. She had been reading in Acts 2 about the day of Pentecost, with the apostles waiting on the Lord, and the sound of the mighty rushing wind. That evening she went into her dining room and told the Lord she was just going to wait on Him to receive the gift. As she was praying, she heard what sounded like a wind blowing through the house, and she got all excited and started speaking in tongues. She later found out that it was just the furnace in her house turning on. Yet she still had received a legitimate gift of tongues. The sound of the furnace bumped her faith and she had been able to receive.

Some of this can almost sound kind of “hoaky” or superstitious. That’s okay. God understands. He isn’t going to force anything on you, and neither are we. But it’s probably no more “hoaky” or “superstitious” than the woman touching Jesus’ garment and becoming healed.

Brain Problems

Sometimes our desire for human understanding can be the greatest hindrance in receiving or using this gift.

(1 Co 14:2 NKJV) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

The Holy Spirit is the one who prompts these unknown sounds, the individual is the one who speaks the sounds, and the words are directed towards God.

This is a difficult thing for many of us. We want to know what is going on. We want to understand what is being said. Yet with this gift, it operates outside of your understanding. For some people it’s a difficult thing to let go of their understanding.

Please don’t misunderstand me. If you’ve spent any time in this church, you know that I place great value in the mind and our ability to understand the things of God. But the truth is that there are going to be things about God and our relationship with Him that are simply going to be above our ability to understand. This is simply the nature of a Great God. He is higher than we are.

Growing in your gifts

I’ve heard several people express that in their personal experience, when they received the gift of tongues, they only received a sound or two, perhaps just a couple of words.

Think about how a baby learns to talk. A baby doesn’t start talking in complete sentences. A baby will only learn to say “Dada” or “Momma” at first. More words come later.

Peter writes,

(2 Pe 3:18a NKJV) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The word “grace” is charis, the root of the word for gifts, charismata. In fact the basic idea of the word charismata is “a work of grace”.

I think that “growing” in “grace” can include the idea of growing in our gifts. Teachers get better as they teach. Mercy gets stronger as we care. Tongues can develop as we use them.

In the same vein, not only is it important that we continue to grow in our gifts, but we simply need to keep using them.

(2 Ti 1:6 NKJV) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Using the gift

There may be times when the church is together when it is appropriate for the gift to be used out loud, in the church service, but only if there is also the gift of interpretation (1Cor. 14:27-28), and only if done in an orderly way (1Cor. 14:27, 40).

Otherwise, I believe the more regular use of the gift of tongues will be either in private, just between you and God, or at church quietly between you and God.

Interpretation of Tongues

(1 Co 12:10 NKJV) …to another the interpretation of tongues…

interpretation – hermeneia – interpretation; of what has been spoken more or less obscurely by others

tongues – glossa – the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech; a tongue; the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations

interpretation – hermeneia

We get our word “hermeneutics” from this word. Hermeneutics is the art and science of Biblical interpretation. It involves taking a passage and bringing out the meaning. It’s what I do for a living.

Interpretation is not just translation. It is bringing out the understanding of the text.

Sometimes we think that an interpretation has to match the tongue in length. But not necessarily. The point of interpretation is to give the meaning, not necessarily a word for word translation.

Definition: Explaining an unknown tongue

Illustration

A BAD CASE OF LARGE NACHOS By Suzanne Peppers

I have had a horrible case of Laryngitis for the past 8 days. I’m working hard to get over it. I have only had a little bit of voice for one day really. VERY frustrating. Then last Tuesday I was SO hungry...and had NO money with me...that I decided to stop at Carl’s Jr. fast food for lunch. (They take ATM’s.) I got inside and realized I would not be able to order easily without a voice. SO...I grabbed a napkin and wrote on it: LARYNGITIS (underlined and bold) Under that I wrote #18 (combo) & Medium Drink I walked up to the counter and stood before a young lady that appeared to have been gifted with fewer brain cells than most. (Just a hunch.) I thought this might go badly. I handed her the napkin. She looked past the napkin to my face and said, “To go or for here?” I mouthed, “To go.” She said, “What???” This was not going to work. Again, I lifted the napkin to hand it to her. She repeated, “Is this to go or for here???” Frustrated, I began to WAVE the napkin in her face like a flag of surrender. She finally took it from my hand. She looked at my note and then, a bit indignant, looked right at me and said, “MA’AM, we don’t HAVE large nachos.” Do you have ANY idea how hard it is to laugh hysterically without a voice? Suddenly I realized I was suffering from a bad case of LARGE NACHOS...not Laryngitis!!!! Oh my. But wait...the best is yet to come. As I’m shaking my head, she turns to the girl next to her and says, ‘”Do we have large nachos?” The other girl reads my note and says, “I think she can’t talk. Just ring up an 18 and a drink.” So she does. But she continues the order process by looking down, away from me. I’m becoming a bit baffled at her lack of attention...till I realize she has a pen in her hand and is writing something on the napkin: CHICKEN BEEF or PORK? At this point I begin pounding on the counter to get her attention. She finally looks up at me and says, “WHAT?!” I frantically point to my ears and mouth these words, “I CAN HEAR!!!!” To which she begins to reply in writing again!! I tapped her on the shoulder this time and mouthed again, “REALLY! I CAN HEAR! TALK TO ME!!!” She became upset and said, “Well, I didn’t want you to have to say yes or no”...to which I replied (mouthing again), “I CAN NOD!!!!” She took my money, handed me an order number and was done with me...all without speaking or saying thank you or even looking at me. After all, I had a bad case of large nachos and certainly could not understand anything she might say to me.

Copyright 2000 Suzanne Peppers

Scripture examples

We do not have a clear Scriptural example of this gift in action.

The one thing we do know is that if the interpretation is correct, it will be a message or a prayer to God, not to the church. A tongue is always addressed to God (1Cor. 14:2).

We’ve seen it at work in an amazingly natural way. I remember one time when a person was praying in tongues and at first the person with the interpretation didn’t realize what was going on because they heard the first person praying in English.

Are the gifts still in operation today?

Some folks believe that the more “supernatural” gifts (tongues, prophecy) have ceased and haven’t been at work in the church since about 300 AD.

Look at the verse that is commonly used to prove that the gifts have ceased operating:

(1 Co 13:8–12 NKJV) —8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

Paul says there will be a time when gifts like tongues will stop operating.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Paul’s argument goes like this – when this “perfect” thing arrives, then the “partial” things will cease functioning. The “partial” things are gifts of the Holy Spirit like tongues. What is the “perfect” thing?

They will then take you to Psalm 19:7 where David writes,

(Ps 19:7 NKJV) The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul

The argument is that God’s Word is the “perfect” thing back in 1Cor. 13:10, and when the Bible was finished being written and compiled (around 300AD), the “perfect” thing had come, and the church no longer needed the gifts of the Spirit.

There are a couple of problems with this.

First, the Bible wasn’t completed in David’s day. It was still 1300 years in the making.

Second, you can tell what the “perfect” thing is simply from finishing the rest of what Paul wrote …

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

What is the “perfect” thing? It’s what the world will be when Jesus returns. It’s also when a person goes to heaven. It’s when we see Him face to face.

When we see Jesus face to face, we will no longer need gifts like prophecy and tongues. That’s when the gifts will cease to operate. Yes, they are for today.

Is there more???

Evangelism? Apostle? Craftsmanship?

:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

:11 distributing – diaireo – to divide into parts, to part, to tear, cleave or cut asunder; to distribute

This is the verb form of the word translated “diversities” or “differences” in verses 4-6.

:11 He wills – boulomai – to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded; of willing as an affection, to desire

:11 distributing … as He wills

My role in the gifts.

I can desire gifts. I think that means I can “ask” for gifts. Paul wrote,

(1 Co 12:31 NKJV) But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

earnestly desire – zeloo – to burn with zeal; to desire earnestly, pursue

The Spirit’s role in the gifts.

These are “spiritual” gifts. The Spirit gives the gifts.

He’s the one who “distributes” the gifts as He wants.

:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

:12 the body is one and has many members

Lesson

All are a part

We are all parts of the Body of Christ.

It’s the unique combinations of gifts that we each have that determine what our role is in the Body of Christ.

The hand is good at touching and grasping things, not seeing.

The eye is good at seeing things, but doesn’t too good at touching.

You have certain things that you are good at, and those are the things that you need to be doing.

Max Lucado (In the Grip of Grace) has another way of looking at it:

God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his ship. The boat has one purpose – to carry us safely to the other shore.

This is no cruise ship; it’s a battleship. We aren’t called to a life of leisure; we are called to a life of service. Each of us has a different task. Some, concerned with those who are drowning, are snatching people from the water. Others are occupied with the enemy, so they man the cannons of prayer and worship. Still others devote themselves to the crew, feeding and training the crew members.

Though different, we are the same. Each can tell of a personal encounter with the Captain, for each has received a personal call…

We each followed Him across the gangplank of his grace onto the same boat. There is one captain and one destination. Though the battle is fierce, the boat is safe, for our captain is God. The ship will not sink. For that, there is no concern.

Lesson

Use your gifts

Jesus told a story about a man who entrusted his money (called “talents”) to his servants while he went on a trip.

Two of the servants took the money that was given to them and invested it, giving their master the profits from their efforts.

One of the servants took the money and just buried it in the ground.

When the master came to see what he had done with the money, he returned the money just like he had received it, unused. His excuse for not investing it was:

(Mt 25:25 NKJV) And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

The master was not pleased with that servant.

Whatever God has given you, don’t bury it in the sand. Learn to use and develop all that God has given you.

Servant Central - looking for a place to plug in?

Don’t be reluctant to use your gifts because you’re afraid. Don’t worry about making mistakes – you are going to make mistakes. But you’ll never get anywhere if you just bury it in the ground.