MAKING USE OF THE RESOURCES GOD HAS GIVEN TO US.

John the Baptist was a man given a loud voice, a powerful message, words that cut deep even into the Pharisees’ hearts, spiritual sight and insight to know who Jesus was, all as resources to him. But these resources were attached to a purpose; to announce the coming of Christ (John 1: 6-23).

Jeremiah was given the power to pull down kingdoms, uproot and tear down, to build and raise up through a very strong prophetic gift. This too, was also for a purpose; to constantly return God’s people to Him whenever they fell short (Jeremiah 1: 4-16)

As we talk about using the resources God has given us, we must start with the first thing. Purpose! Why has God given us these resources? Why has He given you that voice, that level of wisdom, that tenacity, those people skills, the ability to make money easily? Many people do not seek purpose, and as a result, they use their resources for self-aggrandizement, self-elevation, self-enrichment; and all the while, heaven is shaking its head! Things like giving and serving others with those gifts become such a burden to you because you think these gifts are for you!

When John the Baptist was asked who he was, (because of how people were being drawn to him as a result of the resources he had), he did not point to himself but rather to the One who was coming after Him (John 1:22-23). And that’s the secret! Our resources are not meant to promote us but rather the Kingdom of God and its King – Jesus Christ! If we understand this, we will do the following:

Always inquire of the Lord (be a person of prayer) about how to use what He has given us for His glory. This will take away the selfishness in our hearts as we seek to serve our neighbors, workmates, business partners, and the community with our resources.

Always seek to advance the kingdom agenda in our workplaces, communities and friendships using our people skills, brilliant minds, money-making ability, and resources. This will cause us to be excellent, exemplary and kind at our work and also observant to the needs in our communities as ambassadors of the Kingdom.

Always remember we are stewards of all these talents and resources. This view will take away any aspect of abuse or misuse of what God has given us. If we do not know the purpose of something, we abuse that thing. That holds even for the resources God has given us. But if we realize we are stewards, then we will seek to improve, multiply, nature and increase these resources as any good steward would; and not bury them under any excuses of lack or opportunity, shyness, laziness and the like (Mathew 25: 14-30)

If this is our mindset, the question of how we utilize these resources will now become much easier since we know the purpose and we will seek to galvanize these resources for that purpose. Live with a Kingdom mindset and God will inevitably, by His Spirit, guide you. And Jesus will be glorified through all you have been entrusted with. In that way you will increase every day!

Ps. Joseph Kiggundu