Using God-Given Gifts for His Glory and the Good of the Team

What would people think if they read your training log book? Not your highlight reel. Not your best day. The quiet record of what you did when no one was watching. It would tell a story about faithfulness, preparation, and intent. Skill is built in those ordinary entries, in showing up consistently, doing the work with care, and refusing to cut corners. Over time, those small, unseen decisions shape not only performance, but character.

While humility and character are essential, the Bible never dismisses competence. Scripture teaches that God intentionally equips people for the work He has prepared in advance for them to do. In the same way, the church functions more effectively, a team functions more effectively when its members are skilled. Skill matters. It is that simple.

Skill is generally taught. We are not born with it. Somewhere along the path, it is developed, practiced, and refined. One way the Bible frames skill is as stewardship. Whatever ability you possess, leadership, teaching, planning, strength, or creativity, is something God has entrusted to you for the benefit of others.

Paul’s image of the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12 makes this truth clear. Every part matters. Every role is important. When one part refuses to function properly, the whole body suffers. The same is true for a team. A team cannot operate at its highest level without skill.

Excellence, then, honors the Creator. This does not mean we must be perfect. Rather, it means we focus on the things that make us more effective teammates, followers, and leaders. This is not a call to crush others in the pursuit of skill. On the contrary, it is much simpler than that.

You show up. That is the faithfulness and dependability part. You train. You practice the skills you have been given. You do your best to execute them with the highest level of proficiency, and you lift your teammates in the process. As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats.

At the same time, skill without humility leads to pride, while humility without skill leads to ineffectiveness. Biblical teamwork requires both. Proverbs 22:29 reminds us of this balance: “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings.” This verse affirms preparation, discipline, and growth.

Developing skill is not about outperforming teammates. It is about doing the small, daily things that serve the team’s goals and, in doing so, bring glory to God.

In teamwork, skilled individuals:

• Strengthen the group’s effectiveness
• Reduce unnecessary burdens on others
• Increase trust and confidence within the team
• Applying Skill to Teamwork
• Continually improving your abilities
• Knowing your role and executing it well

Bottom line: Skill is not about standing out – it’s about stepping up.