Look for Opportunities to Volunteer (Ezra 8:15)

Ezra 8:15

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁵ I assembled the exiles at the Ahava Canal, and we camped there for three days while I went over the lists of the people and the priests who had arrived. I found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along.


 
Ezra's progress back to Jerusalem was halted while he waited to recruit Levites. God had called these men to a special service, and yet few were willing to volunteer when their services were needed. God had gifted each of us with abilities so we can make a contribution to His kingdom work (see Romans 12:4-8 below). Don't wait to be recruited, but look for opportunities to volunteer. Don't hinder God's work by holding back (see 1:Peter 4:10 below).

Romans 12:4-8

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁴ Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
 

1 Peter 4:10

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 



Joe