Time or Talents...

...which do you think is more important?

Last week was the National Volunteer Week. Besides the "thank you" emails I received, I heard one organization's TV ad thanking their volunteers for giving their time and using their talents. It got me thinking - and now typing...

Some of us may feel the same way I feel about how some of those who support the ministry are more like "volunteers" rather than "workers in the vineyard." Oh I remember when being a worker was everyone's heart desire - being a volunteer not so much... I really can't get over the fact that I see more and more Christians are getting better at being volunteers - working for the Lord at their convenience - rather than being true workers - working with the Lord as He commands. Sad.

Personally, I believe that giving your time to the work of the Lord is more important than having talents. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe put it this way:

The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it. 

You may not agree with me and I won't try to convince you...I don't need to - let's read Matt 21:28-31. The Holy Spirit explained this passage to me like this:

It is clear that both sons had talents - otherwise their father would not have asked them to do anything for him. The 1st son showed the importance of time over talents because he evenutally gave his time and used his talents to do what his father asked. Talents have no value if you don't take the time to use them because:

Success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others. ~ Marianne Williamson

In fact the 2 parables of the servants and their talents (see: Matthew 25: 14-30 & Luke 19: 12-26) clearly tell us that it's the investment of our talents (which takes time), not the quantity or quality of talents we have, that matters to God.

It has been said that the graveyard is the richest place on the face of the earth - because there are so many unused talents buried there. We need to be proactive - as we give our time & use our talents for God, we inspire others to do same.

You're blessed to have talents, & blessed more when you give time to use your talents.

Whether or not someone said "thank you" to you,
"Dear Mrs. Pastor, thank you for giving you time and using your talents.
You are appreciated - for being a worker in the vineyard not a 'volunteer'."