Make Your Talent and Skills Matter
By Rick Warren
“Use every part of your body to give glory back to God.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (TLB)
When you’re getting ready to be used by God, he doesn’t just want to see that you’re spending your time on the most important things. He also wants you to use your talents in view of eternity.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:20, “Use every part of your body to give glory back to God” (TLB).
There’s a big misconception about heaven that even many Christians have. Some people think that when you get to heaven, all you’re going to do is kick back and eat ice cream, wear a white robe, play a harp, and float on clouds. But none of those things are in the Bible!
So what are you going to do for all those trillions of years when you get to heaven?
God has plans for you to serve in heaven. You’ll have specific things to do in heaven—enjoyable things that allow you to serve God. Right now, he’s giving you time on Earth to practice serving. And he’s watching to see whether you take advantage of that opportunity.
Some people sit on the bench all through life, living for themselves. They expect to arrive in heaven and say, “Okay, God, take me off the bench and put me on the A team. Let me serve you now.”
But that’s not how it works. Why would God give you a place of serious service in eternity when you’ve done little or nothing to practice serving in this world?
People also misunderstand what they’re going to take with them to heaven. You’re not going to take any of your money to heaven. You’re not going to take any of your possessions to heaven. You’re not going to take a single material thing to heaven.
What are you taking to heaven? Only two things: your character and your skills. God wants you to understand that right now is your opportunity to get ready for the real thing. Right now is the time to develop your serving skills and build your character to be more like Jesus.
Are you doing anything to use your talents for God? Or are you using all your talents on yourself? God wants you to serve him well here on Earth and forever in heaven.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
