Giving your all

Jim Brangenberg June 7, 2019

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

We live in a time on this planet where talents abound and we continually learn how to use those talents. Two hundred years ago, someone who was talented with their hands might have fixed farm machinery, but today that same talent might be fixing a space rocket or jet airplane. 

What kind of talents do you have? 

Do you have physical, mental, spiritual talents? You probably have all three. Have you ever thought that we are to be good stewards of our talents? Rarely does God give us talents to bless ourselves. That talent has probably been entrusted to you to bless others.

For example, I love clean cars. I sold cars for a number of years as a used car dealer. I love cleaning up a messy car. What I love even more is taking someone’s personal car and cleaning it up and giving it back to them all spruced up. It is a gift that I can give. It reminds me of what Jesus did in my life. I was all messy and dirty. He took my life, cleaned it all up and gave it back to me like new. 

Thank You, Jesus, for giving me this gift.

Similarly, I like to clean up messes. I love helping others sort and organize and throw things away. I enjoy the freedom that it gives them now and the time it saves them later. Again, Jesus has done this in my life a lot, cleaned and organized and threw junk away. If you have a garage that needs to be cleaned up, you understand.

Also, I have learned a tremendous amount about fixing things over the years. I am not an expert at many things, but with the help of the internet and my tools, I can make a good attempt.  

When my neighbors got locked out of their house and came to my door for help, I stopped what I was doing, got out the screwdriver and helped them get in. I loved being able to help my neighbors, and I knew just how to help them in this situation.  

Simple—yes, costly—that depends on your heart. Being willing to give my time and talents requires generosity.

When we give freely of our time, money and talents, we live a life of freedom. 

Jesus said to the rich young ruler:

“Give it all away”

Why? The rich young ruler was enslaved to his stuff. How do I know? He walked away from a relationship with Jesus because of his “riches.” What a huge loss.

Perspective: The things on this Earth that we hoard and value most are gold and diamonds. In the future, God will use one for pavement and the other for door material.

Photo source: istock 

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

Jim Brangenberg is an established leader in the faith and work movement who has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner. In 2013, God called him and his wife, Martha, to begin the iWork4Him Talk Show, where they have had the privilege of challenging thousands across the globe with the simple message that your workplace is your mission field. In addition, he and Martha have co-authored a series of collaborative books, iWork4Him, sheWorks4Him, and iRetire4Him. Learn More »

• When preaching solutions, do these two things first (by Mark MacDonald)
• How smartphones have been used toward a torrent of cyberbullying (by Thom Rainer)
• How to bless before you blame in a conflict at work (by Jordan Raynor)
• How to combine passion and discipline for leadership impact (by Scott Cochrane)

Free eBook

Steps to Launching Your Personal Workplace Ministry

Have you ever felt the pull to full-time ministry work as a missionary or pastor? If not, you can still make a Kingdom impact without quitting your current job. In this eBook, you will learn the four essentials that can change your perspective of work, your workplace, and most importantly, your heart.

Download Now