As we continue our conversation on giving and the importance of tithing, I think we would be remiss if we didn’t expound a little more on what it looks like to be giving of our time and talents to God, not just our finances.
 
Being faithful stewards involves more than our treasure.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says this:

 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
 
Giving of our time and talents truly go hand in hand with one another. The skillsets that God gifted us with are what we can use to serve. Do you have the ability to teach? Are you good with audio/visual? Can you play an instrument or sing? Maybe you are gifted in hospitality.
 
You can make an impact on someone’s life by letting God use you with the gifts He’s given you.
 
For some, it might come easy. For others, it might seem hard to find where and how they can serve. It can take time and prayer. It did for me.
 
There was a time early in my marriage when my husband and I had been attending a church for a while, and I wasn’t serving in any capacity. He was working a full-time job, but was also on staff at the church part-time. Most of his “free time” was spent on church matters.
 
We were out one night with the pastor and his wife, and I specifically remember Zach asking me why I wasn’t serving. He wasn’t asking in a demeaning way, just out of curiosity. (He grew up as a pastor’s kid – a “PK” as they are referred to. In his eyes, going to church meant serving in church. You weren’t doing it right if you weren’t helping in some way. That may sound harsh, but that’s all he knew. From mowing the lawn and cleaning toilets to answering the phone, being an usher and even making visits to the nursing homes during the week… He is a true champion, to this day, of being generous with giving time to God).
 
His question caught me off guard, because it hadn’t come up in conversation before then. I profoundly answered with, “I don’t know.” Maybe not so profound. 😉
 
I remember our pastor and dear friend saying, “The Lord will show her where He needs her. Then she’ll be ready.”
 
Those words stayed with me. It’s not that I didn’t want to serve. I just didn’t know where I fit into the puzzle yet. That may be how you feel, too. With time and prayer, I ended up serving for many years on the worship team and as a kids’ leader – and I gained so much more from it than I ever could have given!
 
As a disciple, God created us with a calling on our lives to give back sacrificially – and to use our time, talents and treasures to bring glory and honor to His name.
 
Serving God and giving our time can be done anywhere. But if you need a place to start, the local church is the backbone to God’s work here on earth. We have to work together to build His kingdom and make disciples!
 
Let me encourage you to talk with God and let Him lead you. There’s a place for you… and I can promise that you’ll find so much joy in giving.

-Jen