1 Tim 1:18 , This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

Remember that the “Priests in the House” are the models that the “Kings in the House” are to be emulating. Because of this, as we take a look at Timothy who was a called Priest of God, we will see how our “Kings” are to conduct themselves in the marketplace.

First, we see the importance of prophecy in our callings. Timothy had been prophesied over and the revelation of those prophecies would enable him to wage the good warfare.

The Word of God tells us not to despise prophecies. However, we all prophesy in part, and every prophecy needs interpretation and revelation.

When you hear someone prophesy over someone, you can not claim that prophesy for yourself unless the Lord reveals by His Spirit that it is for you also.

Whenever, a man or woman of God gives a prophesy, it will be confirmed in some manner ? either by another prophet, circumstances, or the word of the Lord being quickened within you.

I would never change the direction of my whole life based on one prophetic event. That puts too much power in one man. That speaks of Romanism and other errors that have been with us since the beginning.

We are exhorted to try the spirits to see if they be from God. A true man of God is not offended when an honest heart seeks further confirmation.

Having said all that, we must place a high value on the prophetic gifts. As we see in these verses and the next, the act of prophecy is essential in the release and empowerment of God’s people.

1 Tim 4:18 – Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you??
1 Cor 12:7 – the manifestation of Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all;

Here the word of the Lord tells us that each one is given gifts of the Holy Spirit. So, everyone has within them the gifts and callings of God lying dormant within their souls, just waiting for the prophetic act of Laying on of hands to bring it forth.

There is also a truth contained in this scripture that tells us that we have a responsibility in keeping this gift of God alive in our souls. We are told not to neglect this gift.

To be ignorant of your gifts would be considered neglect, don’t you think?

1 Cor 12:31 says, “But earnestly desire the best gifts” and in 1 Cor 14:1 “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts,..”

According to God’s word, it is acceptable and we are even encouraged to desire the gifts of God. I know, for all the super saints, I have to put this disclaimer, “Seek the Giver and not the Gift”. Of course, the bible tells us to earnestly, (KJV) covet the best gifts.

I know that it is important that we have the proper motivation. Simon got in trouble when he tried to buy the gift of laying on of hands so that the Holy Ghost was given to people. Wrong motivation.

Let’s just not throw out the baby with the wash water. We are to seek the gifts of God. Without them at work in our lives we are totally dependent on our own abilities. Who is able to bear that burden?

So neglecting our gifts will hinder us from fulfilling the call of God on our lives.

II Tim 1:6 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

Matt 25:20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them”

What do you suppose was the Lords reaction to this example of entrepreneurship?

Matt 25:21 “His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord”

Sounds like He applauded him for being a good business man, don’t you think? In my bible these verses are in red letters. So this is what the Lord Jesus said about making a profit!

The truth that He is teaching here is that we have a responsibility to use the gifts of God in such a way that the Kingdom of God is enlarged, multiplied, expanded, improved, made better, etc.!

He even went so far as to say that we needed to STIR OURSELVES UP. Stir up that gift of God that is inside you. Quit hiding it from the world!

The world wants and needs what you have ? your families want and need what you have ? the church wants and needs what you have.

Seek the gifts that God has for you. Stir them up. The world is waiting!

All gifts given by our Father are spiritual gifts. He gives us the ability to accomplish our assigned tasks, just as He did under the Old Covenant. When you read about the building of the temple and even before that in the book of Genesis, The Lord talked about those that were workers in brass, or gold or had the gift of woodworking, etc.

It is the same today! If he called you to be a barber, then He will give you the gifts to excel as a barber. Whatever, He has called you to do He will impart His gifts into your spirit that His work might be done.

Remember, I said previously that those gifts are like seeds in your spirit man already, they just need the water of prophesy poured over them and the laying on of hands to impart God’s power and anointing that they may become ever growing plants of God’s faithfulness.

The laying on of hands is a prophetic act in itself.
The laying on of hands by those that have had hands laid on them imparts an anointing from God that releases the gifts inside of you.

In our verse it says that it is the eldership that initially lays hands on a person to release the gifts and anointing. It is that governing body of the church that has the legal right and authority to impart this anointing.

Those that are the “Priests in the House” have the authority and responsibility to RELEASE and Empower the saints of God. The five fold ministry and especially those that are elders have been selected by God to impart gifts, callings and anointings.

How important it is that all ministers that consider themselves to be a part of the five fold ministry recognize that the “Kings in the House” are waiting to be released and empowered for their ministry in the marketplace. Your business, your job, your profession is your ministry. This is your calling. Embrace it!

Jim Watkins

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