The Forgotten Gift

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem , in all Judea and Samaria , and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (HCSB)

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One day a disciple of Jesus receives one million dollars as a gift, designated to help the poor. The disciple is thankful for the gift and begins making plans for a ministry to those in need.

A year goes by, and the gift-giver returns, joyfully asking, “Tell me how you used the gift to serve God. Have people come to know Jesus through the ministry you were able to start with the money?”

Confused, the disciple of Jesus asks, “What gift?”

But as the words tumble off his lips, the disciple remembers the gift of one million dollars. He’d placed it in a bank account, and then, due to the tyranny of the urgent, he’d completely forgotten about the gift.

Disappointed, the gift-giver gently says, “I gave you the gift to help other people. When you received the gift, you also accepted the responsibility for sharing the gift with others. The gift is still there; go use it for ministry, my friend!”

When we become believers, we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1, 4) God places this gift – this Holy Spirit power – within us so we can be his witnesses in “ Jerusalem , in all Judea and Samaria , and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8, HCSB)

God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to energize our faith-walk and to allow God to work through us to love and serve others. If we don’t lean on the Holy Spirit, it is like receiving a gift we never use, or that we hide away.

What does this mean?

· God sees to your success – God didn’t just give you an assignment and then leave you to figure it out on your own. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower you. Jesus said, “And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” (Luke 24:49, HCSB)

· This Holy Spirit is Jesus in you – “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you…. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:7, 14, HCSB)....... Jon Walker