STEWARDSHIP OF GIFTS AND TALENTS

Ajani Garba

Department of Economics, Bowen University, Iwo

GEL 101

November 28, 2019

TALKING POINTS

1. Context of GEL Lectures

2. Reason for Survey

3. Main Findings From the Survey

4. Understanding, Developing and Using Talents and Gifts

5. Stewardship: Biblical Basis, Meaning and Principles

6. Summing-Up and Reflections

EQUIPPING FOR GODLINESS, EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP

(ADAPTED FROM PROF’S. AKINNIYI’S LECTURE)

1. Right Attitude to GEL Courses: strong commitment to being equipped for GEL not about examinations

2. Evidence of Equipping for GEL: growing and demonstrating:GODLINESS: Right Character, Strong Conviction and Strong

Commitment

EXCELLENCE: High Competence [1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17 1 Peter 4:11 – doing everything to the glory of God]

LEADERSHIP: High Expectations and High Performance

3. So that there is:No Excuse for and No Explaining of ungodliness, low performance

and lack of leadership capacities

REASONS FOR SURVEY

1. To have some key information about you before the Class and to test your knowledge of gifts and talents so that we can . . .

2. have a meaningful learning experience that will help you . . .3. grow and demonstrate:

a. Godliness: Right Character, Strong Conviction and Strong Commitment

b. Excellence: High Competence: Excellence [1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17

1 Peter 4:11 – doing everything to the glory of God]

c. Leadership: High Expectations and High Performance: Leadership

STRUCTURE OF SURVEY

1. Personal Data

2. Spiritual Development

3. Talents

4. Spiritual Gifts

5. Self Assessment

6. Challenges: Physical, Spiritual, Academic, Relational, Emotional [Heart, Mind and Body)

Aspect Main Findings GEL Implications/

Responsibility of Student

Personal

Data

79.5% (Age 14-17); 16.6% (18-20);

3.3% (21-24)

Female (66.5) %; Male (32.4%)

Majority doing course they chose

Strong and Positive

Mentorship and Support

system/ Be Alert and

develop GEL

Spiritual

Development

Born Again: No/Not Sure (21%); Yes

(79%)

Year Born Again: 2013-2019 (most)

Quiet Time: Daily (40.1%); ST (53.8%)

Ministries: Music/Drama; None (8%)

Discipleship: at least one (23.3% );

None (41.4%)

Continuous Christian

Formation System/ Make

deliberate commitment

to grow spiritually,

intellectually, physically,

civic responsibilities

Aspect Main Findings GEL Implications

Talents Types: Music/Sports/Arts/

Engineering

Ownership: God ( 59%); Me (27% )

Use: God (39%); Me (42%)

Beneficiaries: me (10.4%)

Broadening and

Developing Talent base

Correcting Errors of

Understanding

Spiritual

Gifts

Types: Multiple (majority); Nil (only

4 or 0.8%)

Ownership: God ( 62%); Me (21% )

Use: God (43%); Me (33%)

Beneficiaries: me (8.7%)

Developing and using

gifts appropriately

Correcting Errors of

Understanding

Aspect Main Findings GEL Implications

Self-Assessment Average: 1.95-2.53

• Self-Control; Leadership; Followership; Coping Skills; Time Management; Reading Skill; Writing Skills; Public Speaking; Loving; Patience; Peaceful; Kindness; Gentle; Faithfulness; Joy

Developing skills in Public

Speaking, Time

Management, Reading,

Leadership and

Followership/ Growing in

Honest Assessment

Challenges in

Bowen: Physical,

Spiritual, Academic,

Relational,

Emotional [Heart,

Mind and Body)

• Academic; Spiritual; Relationship

(friendships, peer pressures and

influences, parental expectations);

Time Management/Procrastination/

Balancing; Emotional (fear/worry;

shyness, expectations); Addictions

Problems are diverse and

unique: provision for one

on one counselling

This type of survey

should be regularly

conducted.

UNDERSTANDING, DEVELOPING AND USING TALENTS

1. Talents are natural abilities and skills God has endowed human beings with that can be developed with training. Examples include: athletic and sporting abilities, acting, singing, dancing abilities, special abilities in mathematics, languages, cognitive skills, practical skills in engineering, craftsmanship, playing of musical instruments and so on.

2. Talents can be developed by diligent training, constant practice and continuous use .

3. Biblical Examples: Aaron (eloquence, Exodus 4:11-14); Bezaliel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-6, all kinds of craftsmanship) and David (use of sling – used to kill Goliath; playing of harp – got David into King Saul life and writing of poetry – for praise, worship, thanksgiving, petition and intercession)

Note:1. All Talents belong to God. God gives talents to all human beings (believers and unbelievers). This means God is

the owner and you are the steward (caretaker). Let God guide you in the discovery and use of gifts and talents.

2. All talents are for glorifying God and for edification (serving and building up people).

3. Everyone will give account of how he/she has used the talents God has given him/her. (Read and Meditate on Mathew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents)

4. Make every effort to develop the talents God has endowed you with through diligent training and constant practice and appropriate and continuous use to the glory of God and the edification of man.

UNDERSTANDING, DEVELOPING AND USING SPIRITUAL GIFTS

For understanding: Study and meditate on Romans 12:1-2, 3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13; Ephesians 4:11 and Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruits of the Spirit).What You Should Understand about Spiritual Gifts:

1. Spiritual Gifts come from the Holy Spirit and they are given to only those in whom the Spirit dwells. This means you must be Born Again to have the Gifts of the Spirit. [John 3:5b: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. )

2. There are varieties of Spiritual Gifts: word of wisdom; word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles; prophecy; discerning of spirits; divers kinds of tongues; interpretation of tongues.

3. The Holy Spirit has given each follower of Jesus Christ Spiritual gifts to serve the common good .

4. Love is the most excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31; 13:1-8). In other words, love is the geatesT gift (1 Corinthians 13:13) and is available to all.

Reflection:

1. Read Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:11 and identify other types of Spiritual Gifts.

2. 1 Corinthians 12:6 “There are varieties of results, but it is the same God who produces all the results in everyone.” Question: Can you be effective in using spiritual gifts without God?

3. Read Galatians 5:22-23 and identify the nine fruits of the Spirit.

STEWARDSHIP: BIBLICAL BASIS, MEANING AND PRINCIPLES

1. Stewardship is a Biblical concept that refers to the duties and obligations of a steward. The Biblical basis of stewardship is Psalm 24:1: “The earth and everything on it belong to the LORD. The world and its people belong to him.” This means talents and Spiritual gifts belong to God. Man is just a steward (caretaker)

2. A steward is a caretaker who has been entrusted with authority but not ownership.

3. Principles of Stewardship: ownership (God owns it all), responsibility, accountability, reward, receiving and cultivating with contentment and gratitude.

SUMMING-UP1. Talents and Gifts Belong to God:

• Psalm 24:1• Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:11-14)• Bezaliel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-6)• Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; 13; Ephesians 4:11• Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruits of the Spirit)

2. This means God is the owner and you are the steward (caretaker)

3. Let God guide you in the discovery and use of gifts and talents.

SUMMING-UP• Exo 4:10 Then Moses told the LORD, "Please, LORD, I'm not eloquent. I never was in the past

nor am I now since you spoke to your servant. In fact, I talk too slowly and I have a speech impediment." Exo 4:11 Then God asked him, "Who gives a person a mouth? Who makes him unable to speak, or deaf, or able to see, or blind, or lame? Is it not I, the LORD? Exo 4:12 Now, go! I myself will help you with your speech, and I'll teach you what you are to say." Exo 4:13 Moses said, "Please, LORD, send somebody else." Exo 4:14 Then the LORD was angry with Moses and said, "There is your brother Aaron, the descendant of Levi, isn't there? I know that he certainly is eloquent. Right now he's coming to meet you and he will be pleased to see you.

• Exo 31:1 The LORD told Moses, Exo 31:2 "Look, I've called Uri's son Bezalel, grandson of Hurfrom Judah's tribe Exo 31:3 and I've filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of craftsmanship Exo 31:4 to create plans for work in gold, silver, and bronze, Exo 31:5 and for cutting stones to set them, for carving wood, and for doing all kinds of craftsmanship. Exo 31:6 "I'm now appointing with him Ahisamach's son Oholiab from the tribe of Dan, and I've given wisdom to all who are skilled so they can make everything that I've commanded you,

SUMMING-UPLet the following principles of stewardship guide you:

1. The principle of ownership/God owns it all: Psalm 24 “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Genesis 1:28 created to be steward of all of God’s creation on earth. It is God that gives the ability to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18)

2. The principle of responsibility: we are responsible for how we treat God’s creations in our care and what we do with them. We are called to be God’s steward to manage what belongs to Him. God entrusts to us the care, development and enjoyment of everything He owns. We are responsible to manage His holdings well and according to His will and purpose. God’s will, purpose and way are the primary considerations in stewardship.

3. The principle of accountability: stewards of life, time, influence, abilities, gifts, information, wisdom, relationship, authority, opportunities, money, and resources and the environment. (Parable of the talents)

4. The principle of reward: Colossians 3:23-24; Mathew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents) and Mathew 25:31-46 (final judgment).

5. The principle of Godliness with Contentment: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

6. The Principle of receive God’s gift with gratitude: receiving God’s gift with gratitude engenders dependence on God and acknowledges abundance (Leviticus, 1-5; Leviticus 19:24; 2 Chronicles 32:25)

7. The principle of cultivating God’s gift with gratitude: Cultivate God’s gifts responsibly: a steward is accountable for managing gifts held in trust and purpose is the glory of God.

SUMMING-UP8. The principle of Love and Obedience: Mathew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35; 14:15, 21, 23-24

9. The principle of Ministry and Missions of the Spirit: Mathew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:5-6

10.The principle of sharing God’s gifts lovingly and justly with others: God expects us to use the gifts He has given us to edify and serve others (Acts 4:32-37; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 6:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 5:2, 5) is implied a self-emptying sacrifice. Jesus Christ teaches us about sharing with love and in justice.

11.The principle of returning God’s gift with increase of the LORD. Mathew 25:14-30; Genesis 1:28; 9:1,7; Deuteronomy 8:13; Isaiah 9:3; 2 Corinthians 9:11; Philippians 4:17; )

12.The principle of Fairness and Justice: Leviticus 28:18-Psalm 62:2; Colossians 4:1; 2 Samuel 24:24;

13.Principle of eternal perspective: Mathew 6:24 (cannot serve two masters); Mathew 16:26

REFLECTION1. How has your understanding of gifts, talents and

stewardship changed?

2. How will you glorify God with the talents and gifts He has given you?

3. How will you edify the BOWEN community with the gifts and talents God has given you?

4. What specific support do you need from the Community to help you have a good account of your stewardship to God?

God Bless you as you reflect.