Tag: gifts

The Road To Involvement

Neal Pollard

Recently, I asked a man about how he and his family got to be so active and faithful in their service to Christ. He said that at one time they were those members who came to church services, spoke to a few people, then left. Attendance was sporadic and they were convinced that they did not know how to elbow their way into the various works going on.

He explained how that changed for them. As their kids got older, they made themselves go to every service regularly, to every church event that was announced, and even took time off to go to Bible camp. He and his wife both started teaching and saying yes to doing things, no matter what. This was intentional. They were not happy just being those people sitting in the pews watching things happen.

At some point, he explained, people started noticing and asked them to do more. The elders started asking them to take on more. Other Christians encouraged them in different ways. Now, being busy is who they are. They could not go back and be happy, just sitting there waiting and not doing anything. Their formula was profoundly simple. Be present and available.

Church leaders have a definite responsibility to equip “the saints for the work of service” (Eph. 4:11-12). The word equipped there means ” to make fully ready” (Zodhiates, WSNTDICT, np). Elders, with the help of preachers and other members, provide ministries and works to accomplish the overall work of the church. Through various ways, they enlist the help of members to get it done. They communicate and even train.

So, what are the saints’ responsibility? Ephesians 4:16 says each individual part must be in “proper working” order. That starts by being present and available, volunteering, and saying yes to things. This family has really drawn a roadmap to involvement. Or, at least they are doing a great job of following God’s inspired roadmap. Let’s be like the very first Christians, who “were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Such a condition is so often contagious!

1 Corinthians 13 (Part One)

Gary Pollard

I don’t usually give I Corinthians 13 much time, but that’s not intentional. It’s one of those passages normally seen in brightly-colored, gaudy cursive within a stressed wooden frame, or in the same font on a t-shirt. Or a blanket. It’s become almost cliche, and I’m ashamed to admit that it’s not been a regular part of my studies. I pass one of those Hobby Lobby-style frames with some regularity, and it struck me (finally, after more than a year) that there’s a lot about this chapter I don’t understand! So the next few articles will focus on I Corinthians 13. 

It’s often used to argue that God doesn’t work through his people the same way he did in the first century. This isn’t convincing — a completed canon is not remotely in Paul’s mind as he writes this section, and context offers very little to suggest otherwise. His discussion of love is there to posit its transcendence! If I Corinthians 12 is any indication, some Christians were unhappy with their “superpower” because the gift of service was not as cool as the ability to speak other languages, for example. Paul says, “Love is better than any of these because it’s the only eternal quality.” Besides that, prophecy was the best gift (cf. 14.1ff). This discussion continues through chapter fifteen, where the “perfect” is our final victory over sin/death when Jesus returns. 

This isn’t necessarily to say that miraculous gifts are still a thing — a more convincing argument against the continuation of miraculous gifts comes from Acts. It seems only the Apostles gave out these gifts. After their deaths, it would seem that no more gifts were handed out. There is evidence in the early church fathers that some people still had these gifts into at least the second century, but it wasn’t as common. However, God did directly give these gifts to Cornelius and his family without Apostolic intervention (Acts 10.44-46, 11.17). That was an era-changing, very special occasion to convince the Jewish people that they were no longer the only chosen ones (10.34).

Since the first part of chapter thirteen talks about these special gifts, I wanted to get this discussion out of the way. In the articles that follow (Lord willing), I want to look more closely at what love is, isn’t, does, and will do. Whether God has completely stopped intervening in some peoples’ lives the way he did before or not, the point of this chapter remains: we could be Titans in every spiritual gift, but it’s meaningless without love (1-3). Since we can’t live forever without having been fully matured in love (I Jn 4.7, 12, 16-18, 20-21), I Cor 13 is a very practical look into what a matured love is. 

During that time many believers will lose their faith. They will turn against each other and hate each other. Many false prophets will come and cause many people to believe things that are wrong. There will be so much evil in the world that the love of most believers will grow cold. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved. The good news I have shared about God’s kingdom will be told throughout the world. It will spread to every nation. Then the end will come (Mt 24.10-14). 

Personal Responsibility Meets Divine Grace:

A Deep Dive into the Parables of the Talents and the Hired Laborers

Brent Pollard

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25.14-30) and the Parable of the Hired Laborers (Matthew 20.1-16) delve into profound themes of stewardship and reward, each shedding a unique light on these concepts.

The Parable of the Talents reminds us of our duty to employ the gifts and resources entrusted to our care. It teaches that those who cultivate their talents can expect more significant rewards, revealing a structure where the fruits of one’s labor align with diligent stewardship.

In contrast, the Parable of the Hired Laborers reveals a profound truth about divine grace. It shows that laborers receive equal rewards regardless of when they begin their work. This parable demonstrates that God’s kingdom operates through grace rather than human metrics of effort or worthiness. The equal compensation given to all workers testifies to the Creator’s boundless generosity rather than merely accounting for their toil.

These parables weave together a profound narrative illustrating the delicate balance between human accountability and divine grace. Each carries a distinct truth that neither diminishes our responsibilities nor the grace bestowed upon us. One emphasizes our sacred duty to steward our blessings, while the other reveals God’s boundless generosity, which transcends our human understanding of merit.

Scholars and theologians have grappled with these parables’ apparent contradictions throughout Christian history. Augustine emphasized the call to earnest service in the Parable of the Talents, while Martin Luther highlighted the concept of grace alone, as illustrated in the Parable of the Hired Laborers. Today, these timeless stories continue to shape our understanding of merit, justice, and the nature of grace.

In our contemporary world, where productivity and performance often dominate the discourse, the Parable of the Talents highlights the importance of faithful effort and wise stewardship of our gifts. Meanwhile, the Parable of the Hired Laborers reminds us that human measures of worth pale compared to divine grace. In modern congregations, these teachings offer wisdom for stewarding our communities and nurturing relationships.

They guide us in developing our talents while grounding our communities in the grace that sustains us all. These parables encourage a delicate balance: striving for excellence in service while embracing the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom, which welcomes all regardless of when they join the work. This inclusiveness offers comfort and reassurance, affirming that God values all.

Rather than conflicting, these parables present a harmonious view of the Christian journey. They reveal a sacred balance where personal responsibility and unmerited grace work as partners in spiritual growth. The Parable of the Talents affirms that our efforts and choices matter—that careful stewardship of our gifts has genuine significance in God’s kingdom. The Parable of the Hired Laborers reminds us that grace forms the foundation of our relationship with God, surpassing human attempts to measure worth.

Together, they paint a vivid picture of discipleship, calling us to excellence while grounding us in humility. They encourage us to invest ourselves entirely in kingdom work while remembering that our worth stems not from our achievements but from God’s boundless love. This perspective offers enduring wisdom for navigating the interplay between human effort and divine grace, speaking as powerfully to modern truth-seekers as it did to its original audience.

They’re Not Gifts

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

In Romans 12:6-8, Paul lists some marvelous gifts that help us be living sacrifices that overcome this world (1-2) who don’t think too highly of self (3). These gifts include such beautiful attributes and actions as proclaiming the gospel (6), service (7), teaching (7), exhortation (8), giving (8), leading (8), and mercifulness (8). Who could fail to see the value of these gifts, on full display and at work in the body of Christ?

That being said, let’s be reminded that the following are not gifts:

  • Hypercriticism
  • Complaining
  • Gossip
  • Strife 
  • Drama
  • Outbursts of anger
  • Pride and boasting
  • Selfcenteredness 
  • Manipulation
  • Grudge-bearing

Too often, these drain the life of a congregation and are a drag on its attempted works. God is not glorified and the body is not edified. In Paul’s discussion about some specific gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14, the word edification repeatedly comes up as rationale for the exercise of those gifts (14:3-5,12,17, 26).  Gifts build up by design.

It’s proper and necessary for us to gauge our actions, to see if we are living as Paul urges the churches of Galatia: ” Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another” (Gal. 5:24-26).

God desires us to find our gifts and place in the body and pursue using them for His glory. The “non-gifts,” He wants us to crucify! They take no talent, but they rob us of peace and joy.

The Gift That Jesus Gave

Neal Pollard

Often, during this time of year, there is an emphasis placed upon the gifts brought by the magi to Jesus—“gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mat. 2:11).  They understood how Jesus was worthy of worship (2:2,11) and celebration (2:10).  Their giving flowed from that recognition.

The book of Hebrews turns the tables and reveals the Jesus who is the gift-giver. The same Greek word used to describe the wise men’s gifts to Jesus is used twice by the writer of the epistle to talk about Jesus’ gift. He does so in the context of Jesus’ work as a High Priest, as contrasted with the gifts offered by priests under the Law of Moses. In Hebrews 5:1, the writer talks about the qualifications necessary to serve in that role—taken from among men, working on behalf of men in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin. Chapter five deals more with His qualification to serve and offer, but the writer does deal with the gift itself later on. Later on turns out to be chapter eight. The writer uses that same word for “gifts” in Hebrews 8:3-4 to talk about what Jesus offered. His gift is contrasted with those that cannot make the worshiper “perfect in conscience” (9:9). He gave His own blood (9:10) and with it obtained eternal redemption which will “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (9:14). The writer summarizes that gift, “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (10:10), as the gift that sanctifies us to God.

But what do we give in return? We cannot repay His priceless gift. But God presupposes that we will be motivated to give. Jesus does, referring to worship in Matthew 5:23-24. He does again, referring to the monetary gifts of the wealthy and the sacrificial (Luke 21:1-4). The Hebrews writer will use Abel as an example of faith-fueled giving (11:4). But our most generous gifts to Christ, however moved by sincere love and unwavering commitment, is but a shadow and reflection of His gift. We give Him money, honor, time, energy, heart, and everything else we can, because He is the greatest giver of all. May we take the time, every day, to honor and give freely, to the Gift-Giver!

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