Dr. Dan Hayden •
You can have the talent and not have the tools – and you’re dead in the water. Without the tools of his trade, even a talented man cannot do his work.
God is not only concerned that we become persons of excellent character, He also wants us to develop our talents and gifts so that we can serve Him. Looking at 2 Timothy 3;16 & 17, we read,
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Notice that God not only wants you to be perfect – He also wants you to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. You see, “perfect” refers to the development of our inner man; but “thoroughly furnished” refers to our outer man – the development of our talents and gifts.
In fact, the word “thoroughly furnished” is exactly the same Greek word as the word “perfect.” Only it has the prefixed preposition ek on the front of it, and ek means “out.”
So the emphasis of “thoroughly furnished” is on the outside. It is being outwardly complete – to be competent and proficient as a workman. You see, as Christians, each of us has been given talents and gifts by God. A talent is a natural ability that God wants you to develop in order to serve Him effectively (like being artistic, or musical, or athletic). But gifts are spiritual abilities given to us by the Holy Spirit (like the gift of teaching, or the gift of showing mercy). These gifts are given to us for the express purpose of serving the Body of Christ.
Now the Word of God helps us in each of these areas. The Bible prepares us to be spiritually mature and encourages us to develop our talents and gifts. That is being “thoroughly furnished” unto all good works.
Say – How has the Holy Spirit gifted you? It’s for the purpose of serving the Body of Christ, you know.