NEGLECT NOT

1st Timothy 4:14. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” NEGLECT NOT. Putting things off that should be done, I call procrastination. Applying myself to them with diligence, I call dedication. To stand by and observe without taking action is fascination. To step in and respond with care and concern is a form of consecration.

To have a certain ability given by inherited characteristics is genetic. To learn from another by observation and sounds, may be phonetic. To express oneself in words that rhyme is poetic. To have one’s gift identified by those who know God is prophetic.

A work to be accomplished that you are able to do requires responsibility. A sense of right and/or wrong that needs to be addressed is morality. To be able to define a need and the solution well is scriptural simplicity. To get up and meet the need by the power of God means you use your ability.

Gifts given by God to be used for the benefit of others need compassion. What God gives in combination with natural talent defines your occupation. To be practical in the use of gift will call for a conscious decision To act quickly and decisively before an issue becomes a dangerous situation.

In His great wisdom, God knows what is needed in a given locality, And when He saves a soul, He gifts them so that their needs are met capably. If that gift is used under divine guidance, the need is dealt with satisfactorily And the functioning of the whole body moves ahead with alacrity.

God’s grace reveals itself to us in many ways by observation. And faith steps up to do its work in and through me by sanctification To the truth, and awareness of what has been accomplished by His justification; And by not neglecting the gift given, I perhaps can help one avoid condemnation.

“I was encouraged this weekend, Father, by seeing the harmonious working of gifts among many different people. The result seemed to be a unified effort enabling them to reach a specific goal. I confess here to Thee that it was truly Thy work through those Thou hast gifted, and the result was a benefit to many. I praise Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”

Others are aware of who you are and what God has enabled you to accomplish for Him. Do not hide behind supposed inadequacies or self-serving business. The good minister of Jesus Christ commits himself to godliness and also to exercising the gift which has been given to him. Diligence means we must not only think about all these things and then casually pass them off, but we must meditate on them. That means we are willing to take the time necessary to make sure we thoroughly understand what we are to do. We must make sure that we are well enough versed in these spiritual things and then go out and practice them openly. To know something only has value if we act on what we know for uses that can be profitable to people and honorable to God. Our minds and hearts need to concentrate on the truths of God's word and on God Himself. Then we will find open doors to effective service for our Lord.

It is incumbent on us to take heed to ourselves and be watchful regarding those things I allow into my life through my mind and emotions, as well as what I actually do physically. To review what I am allowing will keep me from falling back or down when we listen to all that is going on around us. Anything that does not build up my faith or effectively minister in positive ways to my brothers and sisters must not be allowed to happen. The consistent application of time and talents to the things of God will preserve me from the dangers of false teaching and from limiting the work of God because of a poor testimony to His grace on my part. Let us live above reproach so our ministry is not despised. Let us pay attention to our responsibilities and use our gift for the reasons God gave it. Let us meditate on the subjects that edify and build up, that exhort and comfort, so that others will know we are paying attention to all the areas of our own life, and they will be inclined to listen to what we have to teach and preach.