Open Hands: Stewarding Our Energy

Summary

This sermon, part of the Open Hands stewardship series, focuses on how believers are called to steward their energy, abilities, and spiritual gifts for God’s glory and the common good. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 12, the message emphasizes that the Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts to each believer for the building up of the body of Christ—there are no spare parts. Faithfulness in using what God has given us, not results, is the true measure of success.

Key Points from the Sermon

God has given every believer spiritual gifts intentionally and purposefully for the common good of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7).
There are no spare parts in the body of Christ—every member’s gifts, energy, and abilities are necessary for the church to function as God designed (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
Understanding that our gifts come from God guards us from pride, envy, and insecurity, and comparison with others is an act of rebellion against God’s sovereign design (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Faithfulness, not results, is the biblical measure of success—we are called to steward what we’ve been given, and Jesus is the one who builds His church (1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:14-30).
Open hands with our energy means serving with diligence, working for the Lord rather than for recognition, and embracing healthy rhythms of both service and rest (Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 6:9-11).
Neglecting the use of our God-given gifts is disobedience; we must not bury any ability God has entrusted to us (Matthew 25:24-30).

Scripture Readings

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Paul’s teaching on the variety and sovereign distribution of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ—the primary passage for this study.

Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents illustrates faithful stewardship of what God entrusts to us and the consequences of neglecting it.

Colossians 3:23-24 - Paul’s exhortation to work wholeheartedly as for the Lord, reshaping our motivation for service and daily labor.

Discussion Questions

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

What does Paul emphasize by repeating ‘varieties’ and ‘the same’ in verses 4-6? What is he trying to communicate about the relationship between diversity of gifts and the unity of God?

Now read 1 Corinthians 12:11

According to verse 11, who decides what gifts each person receives and how they are distributed? What does the phrase ‘as he wills’ tell us about the nature of spiritual gifts?

Compare with Matthew 25:14-30 (the Parable of the Talents).

How does the Parable of the Talents reinforce what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12? What was the master’s issue with the servant who buried his talent, and how does that apply to how we use our spiritual gifts?
The sermon said that comparison—whether it leads to pride, envy, or insecurity—is an act of rebellion against God’s design. Which of these three tendencies (pride, envy, or insecurity) do you most struggle with when it comes to your gifts and abilities? Why?

Look at Colossians 3:23-24.

How does the motivation of working ‘as for the Lord, not for men’ practically reshape how we serve in the church, at home, and at work? What changes when we stop measuring success by results and start measuring it by faithfulness?
The sermon asked four reflective questions: (1) Where am I currently investing most of my energy? (2) Is my primary aim comfort, advancement, or service? (3) Am I burying any ability God has given me? (4) Who is strengthened because I am in this church? Take a moment to honestly consider these—which question most challenges you, and why?

Application

This Week’s Challenge: This week, prayerfully answer the question: ‘Am I burying any ability that God has given me?’ Identify one specific gift, skill, or ability you have not been using for the building up of the body of Christ. Take one concrete step to put it into action—whether that’s signing up to serve, reaching out to encourage someone, or simply showing up and being present where you’re needed.

Prayer Focus: Ask God to reveal any gifts or abilities you have been neglecting or withholding. Pray for an open-handed posture that says, ‘Lord, how would you have me serve?’ Ask Him to guard you from pride, envy, and insecurity, and to help you measure success by faithfulness rather than results.

Memory Verse

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” — 1 Corinthians 12:7

Resources

The Body of Christ and Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14 study) by ESV Study Bible Notes
Spiritual Gifts Assessment Tool by Lifeway
The Parable of the Talents: Faithful Stewardship by John MacArthur