Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, August 5, 2019

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."¹

I have read how Leonard Bernstein, former conductor of the New York Philharmonic orchestra, was once asked which instrument was the most difficult to play. Without hesitation Bernstein replied, "The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasmâ€"that's a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony."

I recall hearing a beautiful soloist in a church service. The problem was that she sang off key. Had she just given her testimony, we would have been blessed.

Everybody is gifted in one or more areas. When we use these gifts as God intended with the right motive, there is harmony within ourselves and in the group we are ministering to. However, if we try to do what others are gifted for and we are not, if we serve with wrong motives, or if we have a need to control, there will be disharmony within ourselves and in the group.

God's reward will have nothing to do with whether we are a first, second or a non-fiddler. They will be according to our faithfulness in using the gifts that we have been given. When we come to the end of life’s journey, we will be required to give an account to God of the stewardship of the gifts he has given to usâ€"not of the ones we haven't been given.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to recognize my God-given gifts, develop and use them to the best of my ability for Your glory and the blessing of others. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV).

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