Overcoming Rivalry, Unused Gifts And Hidden Potential
Text: Luke 16:10
By: Charles Itseghosimhe
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INTRODUCTION
There are certain critical, yet often subtle, issues that affect us as Christians and members of the body of Christ.
While these challenges may go unnoticed, they are deeply harmful and can gradually hinder the growth of both the church and our personal spiritual lives.
Over time, they negatively impact our faithfulness to God and His kingdom. It is vital that we take time to reflect on these issues, allowing God’s Word to reveal how they influence our devotion and what steps we can take to address them.
So, what are these issues?
- Rivalry and Comparison Among Brethren: This occurs when we compare ourselves to others, leading to feelings of neglect or being overlooked.
- Grumbling and Murmuring Within Us: This arises when we fail to recognize or utilize the gifts God has given us, or when we neglect to seek out opportunities to serve.
- Hiding Our Talents and Abilities: This happens when we choose not to invest in God’s Kingdom, opting instead to bury our talents.
- Not Embracing Our Role in the Church: This takes place when we fail to contribute our part to the body of Christ, neglecting our responsibility.
Let’s turn to God’s Word for wisdom and guidance on how to address these issues.
RIVALRY AND COMPARISON AMONG BRETHREN
“But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” 2 Corinthians 10:12b (NKJV)
In the church, rivalry often arises when we begin to compare ourselves with others.
This is especially true when we see someone younger, or someone who is on the same level as us or someone we think is less qualified, receiving due or godly recognition or flourishing in the service of God.
We may begin to think, “Why them, not me?” or “I deserve more.”
This comparison can breed jealousy, bitterness, and division. But in 2 Corinthians, Paul warns us that this mindset is “without understanding.”
When we compare ourselves to others, we forget that we are all part of the same body of Christ, each with a unique role to play.
Real-Life Scenario
Imagine you’ve been serving faithfully in a church ministry for years, and suddenly, someone younger in age or faith, someone who was baptized at the same time as you, someone who recently attached membership to the congregation, or even someone you believe has less potential or capacity than you, is assigned to prominent roles—such as teaching, delivering sermons, leading committees, overseeing ministries, or even appointed to a position of church leadership.
You feel left behind, overlooked, or even unappreciated.
Instead of focusing on your own growth and contribution, you begin to resent the person, the ministry and/or the church, and harbor negative feelings toward them.
In Genesis 4:3-10, we witness Cain’s reaction to God’s rejection of his offering, which ultimately leads to a tragic sequence of events.
Cain becomes very angry, and his countenance falls because God had no regard for his offering.
Cain’s thoughts likely revolved around a sense of entitlement and jealousy.
He may have believed his position as the firstborn should have guaranteed his offering’s acceptance, and he could have resented Abel for bringing a more acceptable offering.
Instead of using this as a moment for self-reflection and spiritual growth, Cain allowed his anger to cloud his judgment, leading him to sin against God and against Abel.
Remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32, specifically the reaction of the older brother when his younger sibling returns home. He was welcomed back with open arms by the father, the older brother becomes angry. He feels overlooked and unappreciated, especially since he had faithfully stayed and worked for his father all these years. The older brother says: ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
The older brother feels unappreciated and resentful because, despite his years of service, he never received the same recognition or celebration.
He compares his actions to his younger brother’s actions, seeing himself as more deserving of favor. This comparison causes him to focus on his own perceived lack of reward rather than the grace and mercy extended to his brother.
Just as the older brother felt resentment, we may sometimes allow jealousy, pride, or comparison to hinder our ability to celebrate the blessings, restoration and recognition of others.
God’s measurement of success does not rest solely on the prominence of our work, role, or activity, nor by who was noticed first or who is most visible or who was recognized. His judgment is based on the humility, love, godliness, and commitment we demonstrate, whether seen or unseen, recognized or unrecognized, appreciated or not.
What matters is faithfulness. Our recognition, our appointment or nomination, and our roles are in God’s hands.
As 1 Corinthians 3:8 (NKJV) reminds us: “Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
GRUMBLING AND MURMURING ABOUT UNUSED TALENTS
“Do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV)
Sometimes, we look at our potential, the gifts and talents God has given us, and feel frustrated because we are not given the chance to use them.
We grumble, murmur, and become discouraged. We may feel we have so much to offer the church, but no one seems to notice or give us an opportunity.
Real-Life Scenario
Imagine you believe you have a gift for teaching, but the church doesn’t seem to have any openings for additional teachers in the upcoming quarter or year. There may be no opportunities in Sunday morning programs, mid-week Bible classes, ministry classes, or any other areas of the church’s teaching schedule.
You could spend your time murmuring, questioning why others are recognized but not you.
Grumbling and murmuring are quiet but destructive behaviours.
Is it possible to express a complaint in a constructive way? Can we overcome grumbling and murmuring?
A notable example of properly expressing a complaint to seek a solution through leadership can be found Exodus 18:13-27, where Moses is approached by his father-in-law, Jethro, about the issue of Moses trying to handle all the leadership responsibilities alone.
Jethro noticed the burden Moses was carrying and said to him, “So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself…Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”
Instead of grumbling about Moses’ leadership or complaining in a passive-aggressive manner, Jethro expressed his concern clearly and constructively.
In humility, wisdom and love, he offered a constructive solution. He approached him with a helpful and thoughtful suggestion, recognizing the issue and offering a solution – he presented a clear, practical way to address the problem, making the conversation solution-focused rather than just complaint-based.
Paul in Philippians 2:14-15 urges us to be patient and proactive.
Whenever we feel the urge to grumble or murmur in this context, let us take a moment to pray about it.
We should also learn to speak with church leaders, humbly seek their guidance, and ask how we can contribute.
We should trust in God’s timing, and He will open doors for use to use our gifts in His Kingdom.
HIDING OUR TALENTS AND ABILITIES
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours. But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25:14-18, 24-29 (NKJV)
In this famous parable of the talents, we see that the servant who hid his talent was rebuked by his master.
God has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and opportunities. When we choose not to use them, whether out of fear, pride, or laziness, we are dishonoring Him.
Real-Life Scenario
You may have been blessed with a beautiful singing voice, the ability to counsel others, or even with resources to impact lives constructively and effectively.
Instead of using your gifts, you choose to keep them to yourself. You observe others serving in the church with similar blessings and think, “I’ll never be as good as they are, so why bother?” or “Their efforts don’t match my standards; they aren’t on my level, so why should I even try?”
Over time, you bury your gift, and others are deprived of the blessing that God intended to come through you.
When God has designed that His blessings will reach and impact others through us, we should not refuse to use these blessings for His glory and the growth of His kingdom.
Remember, hiding our talents does not honor God. He calls us to take risks for His Kingdom, to invest our abilities, and to multiply them for His glory.
Don’t let fear stop us from stepping into the potential He has placed within us.
NOT EMBRACING OUR ROLE IN THE CHURCH
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NKJV).
We are all part of the body of Christ. Some of us may be hands, others feet, some eyes, and some ears.
But each part is essential to the proper functioning of the body. When we neglect our role or fail to appreciate what others are doing, we harm the whole body.
REAL-LIFE SCENARIO
Perhaps you’ve been coming to church for years, but you’ve never been actively involved. You come, you sit, but you never take part in ministry visitations, meetings and programs, evangelism, mid-week Bible classes, new converts classes, youth classes, singing practices, or zonal fellowship.
You think to yourself, “What difference can I make? I’m just one person.”
Have we considered Moses and his reluctance to lead in Exodus 3-4?
God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. However, Moses is hesitant and reluctant, repeatedly making excuses about his ability and worthiness to carry out the task.
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11 (NKJV)
Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:10 (NKJV)
Just like Moses, many of us are given specific gifts or abilities by God for a particular purpose, but sometimes, we doubt ourselves and allow fear, insecurity, or a sense of inadequacy to prevent us from using those gifts.
Inactivity in using our gifts can lead to missed opportunities to fulfill God’s purpose.
God does not give us gifts for us to keep them hidden or inactive.
God has a purpose for our lives and our roles in the body.
It may not be the spotlight, but it is vital.
CONCLUSION
Today, let us encourage ourselves not to compare ourselves with others, but to look to God and ask, “How can I serve You?”
If we feel overlooked or frustrated by our situation, let us bring it before the Lord.
If we have talents or gifts that are lying dormant, now is the time to seek the Lord and the church leaders for opportunities to use them.
Let us be faithful in the Kingdom of God, using what we have for His glory.
Whether our contribution is large or small, it matters in the grand scheme of God’s plan.
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10 [NKJV]
We pray our God to help us to overcome any rivalry, jealousy, frustration, or pride that may hinder our ability to serve Him, in Jesus Christ Name – amen.
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