Whether our gifts are many or few, great or small, God has most assuredly prepared beforehand opportunities for us to use those gifts to serve our neighbors. We, in fact, have a duty to use what God has given us for the good of our neighbor. All that we have we hold in trust as stewards, for all comes from God and all belongs to God.

It is through our good works that we demonstrate, both to ourselves and to the world, that we have a living faith. There are no hard and fast rules or mathematical formulae to determine precisely what one should do with what one has been given — these are matters of wisdom. But we know the basics: Faithfully pursue your work, come to the aid of family and neighbor, and render good works when and where God provides you the opportunity.

The Christian life is not found in pilgrimages or hair shirts or in putting crosses on every surface in one’s home. The faithful Christian baker makes good bread; the faithful Christian shoemaker makes good shoes; the faithful Christian woman keeps a good home; a faithful Christian man diligently pursues his calling — whatever it may be. These are not matters over which to be anxious or about which to fret or worry; God knows what we need and he knows what our neighbor needs, and He has so ordered things that our neighbor can aid us and we can aid him. The Christian life is lived out in many thousands of small interactions, all undertaken with thanks for the good gifts, all of which flow from God.

»17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.«

— James 1:17 (ESV)

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Show Notes

Previous episodes:

Persuasiveness Matters

Conspiracy Theories and Truth

The Fear of the Lord

Some recommended Scripture passages:

Matthew 6:25–34

Matthew 25:1–13

Romans 12:3–13

Romans 14:1–12

1 Corinthians 4:2

1 Corinthians 12:1–11

1 Corinthians 15:58

Ephesians 2:10

Colossians 3:18–4:1

1 Peter 4:7–11

James 1:16–18

Luke 12:35–48

Luke 16:1–13

Proverbs 3:27–28

Proverbs 16:3

Proverbs 22:29

Ecclesiastes 9:9–10

See Also

Further Reading

“Family Trump Strangers”

Parental Warnings

None.