Hey man, look what God gave me!

Posted by Rod Hamilton on Apr 17 2008

Today, for no particular reason at all, I was thinking about the story of Joseph and how his father gave him that really cool multi-colored coat. I imagine that Joesph’s brothers wrestled quite a bit with the idea of their father giving Joey such a dashing coat while they all slaved away in fields and pastures, no doubt dressing appropriately for the occasion. In fact, the 37th chapter of Genesis tells us that Joseph’s brothers hated him because of the partiality his father showed him and they couldn’t even speak a kind word to him.

If you’ve read the story of Joseph you know how the story ends - happily, but not without some great trials.

God shows favor to his children as well. To some He gives the gift of prophecy, to some the gift of mercy, to some the gift of serving, to some the gift of leading. In fact, there are some 28 gifts that God gives us, not to mention the talents associated with those gifts to get the job done, and done well. If Joseph could have only received the gift from his father with a humble attitude and a grateful heart, how much grief would he have been spared in his life?

Sometimes we can parade our gifts around our Christian family too, creating an environment of envy and competition which is really unhealthy for growth and for life. It’s of serious importance that we understand that the talents or gifts we have were given to us for a certain purpose, and that purpose is to be of use to the Kingdom of God. When I stop to survey whatever it is that God has given to me or allowed me to do, I should always give the glory and the credit to Him for whatever good there is in me while at the same time taking the blame for whatever I am lacking in spirit or in character.

Today, I desire to be a living vessel to glorify God. I have breath and life for now, though not to keep forever. I have a voice to sing and a sound mind and body with which to lead. These days we’ve been given are numbered and fleeting. Our lives as vapors will dissolve into nothing sooner than we expect. We have no time to take credit for our gifts and never a need to boast about what’s been given to us by God.

Romans 12:6 “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.”