According To Your Ability

Acts 11:29

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

Pleasing God is as easy as giving and serving Him according to your ability. God never asks us to do something according to another’s ability. In fact, God shows us that He holds us accountable to our ability in Romans 14:12, where He says, So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. God will not make us give an account of what we have done according to another’s ability, but He will make us give an account according to what we have done. There are four areas where I find that God judges us according to our ability.

First, God holds us to our ability in the area of giving. The widow lady gave of her ability when she gave the mite, and God commended her for this. She did not have much to give, but she gave what she could. Every person in the church of Antioch gave according to his ability, and God was pleased with that. God is not as interested in how much you gave as He is with you giving according to your ability. You may think that your little is not much to give, but God is pleased as long as you give according to your ability.

Second, God wants us to seek Him according to our ability. Matthew 6:33 says, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Nowhere does God say to seek Him according to another’s ability, but we are to seek Him first. Whatever our first is is the ability with which God wants for us to seek Him. My first may not be to the degree of your first, but everyone can seek God with their first. Some may think their first is very little because they got saved later in life, but if you put God first in seeking, He is pleased that you give Him the first chance in your life to do something for Him.

Third, God wants us to love Him according to our ability. Mark 12:30 says, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Notice, God does not say I am to love Him first in these areas with another’s ability, but to my ability. I may not have the mind of another, but I can love God with all of my mind. God does not care if you can't give all that another has given; He cares that you love Him with your all. God wants your all. He wants all of your heart and strength. If you give God your all, He is pleased you have given according to your ability.

Fourth, God wants us to serve Him with all of our ability. Romans 14:12 teaches that we give an account of ourselves to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. You may not be able to serve God with another’s ability, but you can serve Him with your ability. There are some people whose ability to serve God is limited because of health issues, but they can still serve Him. There are some who are healthy individuals who do more than others, but they are not doing according to their ability, and God is not pleased with them. God expects you to serve Him with your best and to your ability.

Does God have all of your ability in each of these areas? You will never please God until you decide to give Him your best in each of these areas. You will please God as long as you give and serve according to all of your ability.