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“OUR TALENTS ARE GOD’S GIFT TO US; WHAT WE DO WITH THEM IS OUR GIFT BACK TO GOD!”
I often flash this quote on a PowerPoint slide when presenting a game plan to our defensive unit with the Kansas City Chiefs. It is my subtle way of sharing God and His Son, Jesus, with the young men I coach. My hope is for them to recognize that God’s
grace is why they are gifted with the athletic talent to succeed in the NFL.
Like these young men I coach, we have all been granted gifts because of God’s grace. We might not all play professional football, but we all have talents from God. Everything we receive is a gift from the Almighty. Talent is one type of gift; time
and opportunity are two others. To be good stewards of these gifts, we must utilize our talents and opportunities to honor God and give our time as an expression of His love to others. In simple English: We must serve others in a way that honors Father
God and expresses His love!
We stand accountable to God for what He has entrusted to us. What are we doing with the gifts He’s given us? Being a good steward, or caretaker, of our gifts is one way to express love and gratitude to God. When we act as caretakers toward others
when it comes to our talents, time and opportunities, others can feel God’s love through us. Isn’t this the ultimate goal of all devoted Christians? It’s what God’s Word, the Bible, teaches us!
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another,” (1 Peter 4:10).
JUST SHOWING UP
My wife, Maria, is the most giving person I know. She has taught me many lessons in the area of tithing and stewardship. She often says, “Money doesn’t change people; it just brings out who they really are.” Her words remind me of what
Luke 16:10 says: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
As Christians, Maria and I strive to serve others in honor of Father God not only with our finances, but also with our time and opportunities. You never know the impact you can have by “just showing up” when an opportunity presents itself.
In 2008, after winning Super Bowl XLII with the New York Giants, Maria and I dedicated our playoff bonus to honor God. She has always carried a heart for foster children, and she found a youth home in the Bronx, N.Y., that was in need. We went to the
home to meet the boys, and soon after our visit, we had a basketball court built. Shortly after the court’s completion, Maria returned to the home to visit. One of the young men recognized her and said, “You came back! No one ever comes
back.” That touched our hearts and opened our eyes to the importance and value of not only giving financially, but giving love and time as well.
STEWARD WELL
God has gifted me with the talent to coach young, athletic men. He has gifted me the opportunity to coach at the highest level of my profession. As long as the good Lord keeps me here on Earth, I have the gift of time to give away to others. I am accountable
for what God’s given me.
If we all dig deep enough, we will recognize the talents and gifts God’s given us and see opportunities to serve others with them. We should remember where they came from, our Almighty Father, and remember our responsibility to steward them well.
Prayer: God, help me serve others with the unique gifts and talents You’ve given me. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Coach Steve Spagnuolo is the defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl LIV Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Arriving in Kansas City in 2019, he boasts 37 years of coaching experience, both at the collegiate and professional levels. His nearly two decades of coaching in the NFL includes three seasons as a head coach and another Super Bowl victory as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants (2007). He and his wife, Maria, established The Spagnuolo Foundation to give hope to youth who otherwise may not have the opportunity to pursue and achieve their dreams.
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Photos courtesy of the Kansas City Chiefs