November 16

Nov 16 - Today from Proverbs 16 we look at verse 26
"The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on."

Have you ever observed a believer serving with tenacity and fervor in an unappealing situation, and wonder how they could possibly stand it? It's probably because even though it may be somewhat repulsive to you, they actually have an appetite for it.
An appetite is a great motivator. Food is a critical element for living. Man labors in his field of training and experience to earn his 'daily bread'. Fortunately, most of us have more than enough to eat - so our appetites extend to things other than food and life's necessities. We get 'hungry' for luxuries and accessories. We get 'hungry' for recreational things. We get 'hungry' for a bigger house, a newer car, a summer (or winter) home, a big-screen plasma TV, a boat, ability to spoil the grandkids, cosmetic surgery, membership at the club, . . . well, you know the list. We get hungry enough to get a second job, or for the spouse to earn a second income in the home. People wouldn't put up with all of that frustration and inconvenience unless they had an appetite for something.
Hunger for food is universal. Appetites for other things vary according to the individual's tastes and values. Everyone is wired a little differently. It's the same with spiritual gifts. If you want to see people roll up their sleeves and dig into some area of ministry, just get them working in an area that they have an appetite for. It's like when you have put in a long hard day and at about dinner-time your stomach is rumbling in anticipation. You sit down to a good meal and dig in. When you're finished, you are satisfied - fulfilled. That's what it's like when you are serving in your area of giftedness. The desire to be satisfied and fulfilled drives you on. Did you know that we were created to serve? Sin messed that up, but Jesus Christ came to restore it.
When God made you, He gave you a spiritual appetite for something. That's what a spiritual gift is. You will never really find fulfillment unless and until you begin to feed it. Every believer should be in the process of discovering, or in the process of utilizing their spiritual gifts in God's kingdom. A spiritual gift may be a natural gift taken one level deeper. It may be something that you never had any desire or interest in until you came into a relationship with Christ. But you can count on this - God gave you something to use in service in His kingdom. There is an abundance of material out there to help identify spiritual gifts - and even more opportunity to use them. A very wise old Hungarian Pastor once told me, "There are no unemployed in the kingdom of God - only the idle." Folks, that's a sad truth. I think the reason there are so many 'idle' disciples in the church is because they have not yet discovered what they are hungry for. By the way, you don't have to start out big - just get started. You may have to experiment some to find your gift, but it’s worth it. Keep at it. You will be amazed at how God's grace flows once you put your hand to serving in your area of giftedness. After all, if you could accomplish it in your own strength it probably wouldn't be a spiritual gift, now would it?