9. What happens if I don’t use my spiritual gifts?

Believers who refuse to use their spiritual gifts will find that not only do their gifts weaken, but they are jeopardizing their eternal life. Jesus is straightforward when He expresses with loving concern that the servant who did not use his talent was nothing less than a “wicked and lazy servant” who forfeited the eternal reward (Matthew 25:26-30). JTL20 11.1

Sometimes intimidation, lethargy, timidness, or feelings of inadequacy tempt us to “hide our gift under a bushel” (see Matthew 5:15, 16). Jesus longs to give us holy boldness in response to our prayer of faith so we can help fulfill the mission of the church to a dark world. JTL20 11.2

Perhaps the best motivation for putting all our gifts and talents to work for Jesus is to consider what He gave for us—His own life so that we could live forever with Him. JTL20 11.3