If the Lord calls a man to preach the gospel, there will be a natural ability for it. Then the Lord will stir in his heart by the Holy Spirit a real love for souls, which is the best gift of the evangelist. Then he ought to stir up and exercise his gift according to his ability, for the blessing of souls and the glory of God. May we remember that we are responsible for these two things: the gift graciously bestowed, and the ability in which the gift is to be exercised.
When the Lord comes to reckon with His servants, it will not be enough to say, “I was never educated for, nor appointed to the ministry.” It will be a question of whether I waited on the Lord to be used for Him according to what He fitted me for, or whether I hid, and failed to exercise what He gave me.
In that coming day when the Lord reckons with His servants, rewards will be given according to faithfulness, not necessarily according to outward success. It is for each one of us to be faithful with whatever has been entrusted to us. If we regard what we have, either in ability and gift, or in temporal things, as belonging to the Lord and entrusted to us to use for Him, then we shall be better stewards and seek to be found faithful.
“After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. ... His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:19-2319After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:19‑23).