Choose to Use It

God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. 1 Peter 4:10

Props: various toys, games/gadgets and a handful of cash (or play money)

            What is the best gift you have ever received?  (Choose a few students to respond).  Imagine if you got one of these for your next birthday (Display ipod).  Wouldn’t that be great!    Or maybe your parents will finally get you the ripstik you’ve been begging for.  (Hold up ripstik.  Ride it if you’re brave enough).    If you really have a great year, you could get a card with lots of money inside.  (Show handful of cash).  All of these gifts are great, aren’t they?

            God has given each of us gifts.  His gifts are different for each person.  Some of you have been given a gift of serving others.  Others have a gift of strong faith for miracles.  A few of you may have the gift of teaching.  You have a real gift of telling people about God in a way they can understand.  There are many gifts God gives: leadership, generosity, helping others, preaching.  God has also given you talents to bless others.  You may sing or draw, write or build things.  These are all gifts from God.  They are just as real as the gifts I have here.  However, in order for these gifts to be valuable, you have to use them. 

            (Set ipod on shelf).  Imagine if your birthday came and went, and you just put the ipod on your shelf and never listened to it.  You wouldn’t be any better off than before you had it.  (Put ripstik on shelf).  Let’s say you did the same thing with your ripstik.  Would you have any fun with it?  Not if it just sat there!  (Set money on shelf).  Now I know you would never do this: but imagine if you put your money on the shelf and never spent it!  Would it be worth anything?  No!  Money isn’t worth anything until you use it.

            The same is true of the gifts and talents God gives you.  If they are going to be worth anything, you must use them for God.  Like I said before, God have given each of you gifts and talents.  He wants to use those gifts and talents to help other people.  But if you don’t use them, no one will be blessed. 

            Use your gifts and talents for God.  You can use your talent or let it sit there on the shelf.  Choose to use it for God.