“For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Matthew 25:29 ESV
Dear fellow musicians,
I want to speak to those of you who have been given a musical gift.
Now, I understand that music and musical ability is definitely not the only gifting, and is, as you know, far from the most important or anything like that, that’s not what I’m saying.
But today, I want to speak to you musicians, particularly.
And the reason is, what we have been given is a gift from God. And that is what the scripture is talking about in Matthew 25. And to those who have been given and use well what they are given, more will be given to them.
What does that mean for us as musicians, as worshippers, as people in places of ministry?
It means that we use well, the gift that God has given to us and we look back at David in the Old Testament and him using his gift. Even though Saul hated him, David used his gift to bring peace and calm to situations.
We see musicians going out in front of the army of the Lord and preparing the way in worship.
What you have been given as a musician is a vital part of the body of Christ.
Worship is what we will be doing in heaven.
it’s crucial that you understand something, musicians are well known for being selfish, well known for having large egos in the world.
And that’s not how the Christian musician should be.
We all need a ego, as was one said, “ego ain’t a dirty word.
We all need egos. We all need confidence. We need to be able to project that confidence, without projecting self importance.
That’s the key in worship and musicianship as a Christian.
And it’s not always easy to project that as a Christian.
We can be misunderstood. Many times, because when we’re enjoying our music we may move around, or we may just stand there, we may smile and laugh while we are using our gift on stage and even just the small things can be misunderstood.
Many times, either by other musicians, or other people in ministry, or simply by the congregation at large to thinking that there is a large ego behind what we do.
We must have confidence, and we can’t let the possibility of being misunderstood, get in the way of excellence in what we do.
The Bible calls for excellence, God calls for excellence. Why? because he is the one that has gifted us, and his gifts are perfect, and they are irrevocable.
He has given you a gift to reach his people.
To worship is so much more than just a song that happens during a worship service.
Over the last 20 plus years, I’ve seen people get healed during a worship service. I’ve seen relationships restored because of healing in a heart that happens during a worship service.
I’ve seen hope embedded in a life, which seems hopeless, where situations are hopeless.
And sometimes it’s just a matter of that Sunday morning worship, or whenever it is that we use our gifts and stand out in front of the army of the Lord and we worship with the gifts that we have been given, using them well, that we give that little bit of hope for that person who’s struggling through the darkness, through the desert, trying to make it from week to week and that place of worship, that gift that you give is enough to keep them going and coming back next week to sit in the presence of the Lord again to receive what the Holy Spirit has for them.
But here’s the warning…
And it’s quite obvious in this passage.
Because there are some musicians that have given up using their gift.
Now I understand that there are sometimes genuine reasons, perhaps medical or whatever the case may be that they cannot use their gift.
Let’s say, a broken arm and you can’t play piano.
But what we see here is a definite warning in the way that if you have been given a gift and you have the ability to use it for the benefit of others that would help to bring them into the presence of God then you will be held accountable.
I will be held accountable.
This is a promise.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is by an American pastor by the name of Harold Warner.
He is wheelchair bound.
He actually had a car accident on the way to pioneer his first church, and ended up paralyzed from the waist down.
But he said this.
“Jesus brand of servanthood means that everyone: child, Gentile, leper, sinner, opposite gender is more important than me. Servant hood means that all that I am and all that I have is placed at your disposal if it will help to bring you into the presence of God. Servanthood is not about how I can add value to my life, but about how I can add value to yours.”
Let that sink in for a moment and let it touch your heart.
Then apply it to your ministry as a musician in the kingdom of God.
As a musician in your local church. As a musician in your local gathering, or Bible study, wherever you gather in the name of the Lord.
So while there is great promise in this passage of Scripture, there is also a great warning that must be heeded.
Give yourself to the gift that God has put in you.
Do not overlook it.
It is there for a reason, and that reason is to encourage and bless and lift up and strengthen others… and yourself.
When I’m leading worship I become so encouraged in myself and strengthened, as the Spirit of God flows in and through me and my prayer is that, that and more so, is what the congregation, or those whom we are leading is feeling as well.
Give yourself to the gift.
If you have let it lie dormant reignite the passion in your heart, give yourself to that which God has given to you.
Whatever your reasons, whatever your hurt, whatever the violations, it’s time to lay them down at the foot of the cross, pick up your instrument and give yourself to that which God has given you.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Graham