The Gift of Stewardship: Cultivating Gifts through Training and Learning

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." — 2 Timothy 1:6 

There's something deeply sacred about realizing. God has placed divine deposits within us. These include unique talents, passions, and spiritual gifts. They are tailored to our calling. But here's the truth: being gifted doesn’t exempt us from the responsibility of growth. In fact, it invites us into it.

Just like Timothy, many of us need the gentle nudge Paul gave saying, “Fan into flame the gift of God.” It’s as if Paul is saying, Don’t just acknowledge the spark...tend it, feed it, let it burn brighter. Stewardship isn’t just about using what we have—it’s about cultivating it with intention.

Natural Gifts vs. Cultivated Calling 

Let’s look at Romans 12:7 and 11: 

"...if it is serving, then serve..." "...Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." 

Some believers move in their gifts like fish in water—it’s effortless. The compassion of a caregiver, the wisdom of a counselor, or the discernment of a seasoned intercessor. But for others, the gift is there...it just needs refining. It needs faith, feedback, and fire. 

Teaching might start with a simple love for Scripture but mature through years of study.

Leadership may come with vision but require experience and humility to flourish. Even servanthood—often overlooked as "basic"—is a divine grace, expressed through countless roles: sound techs, media creatives, ushers, children’s workers. No role is lesser. All contribute to the worship ecosystem. 

What matters is not just that you serve, but how you steward the capacity to serve. 

Training and Mentorship: The Pathway to Maturity 

Gifts, by nature, carry potential. But unlocking that potential demands commitment. 

Growth looks different for everyone: 

• Formal training — Bible college, leadership institutes, seminary. 

• Informal learning — podcasts, books, small groups. 

• Mentorship — walking closely with someone who sees the gift in you and calls it forth. 

• Experience — simply saying “yes” to opportunities that stretch us. 

Timothy’s growth was not passive. It was activated by Paul’s affirmation and sustained by his own willingness to keep growing. The laying on of hands was more than ceremony—it was confirmation that Timothy had something worth cultivating. 

Paul: A Portrait of Relentless Growth 

Paul is a masterclass in stewardship. After encountering Christ, he didn’t immediately launch into ministry fame—he studied, served, wrestled, and grew. His letters pulse with theological brilliance and vulnerability. You see a man refining his gift even as he gives it away. 

Paul didn’t just steward his own gift; he poured himself into others. Timothy, Titus, Phoebe—they were his legacy. He multiplied what he had by making room for others to rise. 

And isn't that the mark of true stewardship? To give what you've grown, so others can grow too. 

The Invitation: Cultivate to Serve, Serve to Cultivate 

So where do we go from here? 

You may already know your gift. Or maybe you’ve only felt the flicker of it. Either way, the invitation is the same: fan it into flame. This could involve enrolling in a course. You might seek mentorship. Alternatively, it may mean taking the leap to lead that small group, write that devotional, or design that next visual. 

Gifts unused don’t disappear—they just grow cold. But with effort, intentionality, and faith, even the smallest spark can become a blazing witness. 

Let this be your reminder: your gift matters. And your growth is not just for you—it’s for the Body. The Kingdom advances through your “yes.”