Day 298: Jeremiah 12-13; 1 Timothy 4

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:14-16, NLT)

How fitting in this season of our journey through SHAPE (Spiritual Gifts+ Heart + Abilities + Personality + Experiences) that we should read this admonition to Timothy from his mentor and spiritual father, Paul. It is very clear that our spiritual gifts are personally applied to and fitted to our being (our SHAPE). If it were not so, we would be like David wearing Saul's armor. It is also perfectly clear that our gifting is not for ourselves alone, it is for the good of the Body of Christ (discipleship - mine and yours), and for the mission of the church, that lost people should come to salvation. All of this brings God glory.

I don't want to be like those hoarders I see on 'Pickers'...you know, the ones who have things that have been tucked away for 30 years...long forgotten. As soon as they come to light, all of a sudden their possessor could not live without them...I have to hold onto that rusty piece of metal. Why? In this faith journey, the more we give away what God has given us, the more we gain the immeasurable riches that come from being His (and each others'). Let's live out our gifting to build His church and fulfill His mission for His honor and glory!