Daniel 1:17, 20 (NKJV) As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams..…And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.
Daniel was given a wise and understanding heart, just like King Solomon. Wisdom is applied knowledge. It took wisdom to translate everything they had studied into practical applications that would bless the community and the king. God had also given Daniel the understanding of dreams and visions. Therefore, he was able to interpret dreams and visions for the king. It was a spiritual gift to Daniel in the role that God had placed him in to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. The role of an advisor to the king was God’s call and purpose in Daniel’s life.
What has God called us to do? God wants us to incorporate our spiritual gifts into our work, just as Daniel did when interpreting dreams and visions. The corporate world is increasingly open to the spiritual realm, but it often turns to the wrong sources, such as Geomancy, New Age practices, fortune tellers, spiritists, and mediums. So why can’t we be bold enough to serve God in the corporate world and utilise the gifts of word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, gift of faith, gift of healings, gift of prophecy, gift of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues? The king found Daniel and his friends to be ten times better than the magicians and astrologers!
We also have the gift of anointing, which is not restricted to an illuminated understanding of the Scriptures but enables us to function based on God’s calling in our lives. The anointing is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is God’s empowerment and enablement for our calling and role.
When we walk in God’s calling, His grace is available to us. Grace is an inner strength that makes us resilient and enables us to do the work without crumbling when times are tough. We will be able to bounce back after being pressed on all sides. When we are anointed for His purpose, spiritual gifts are given to us to make us skilful in serving Him.
The anointing is a spiritual enablement that comes upon us and flows from within. However, there are limitations, as the anointing will only be within what God has called us to do. Unfortunately, many Christians operate in areas of what they want to do rather than what God has called them to do. Therefore, it is wise to align ourselves with God’s calling by seeking to understand His will. The burden will be light, and the yoke will be easy when fulfilling the calling.
Sermon Series: Vessel for His Glory
智慧与恩赐的源泉
但以理书 1:17, 20 这四个少年人，神在各样文字、学问上赐给他们聪明、知识，但以理又明白各样的异象和梦兆。20 王考问他们一切事，就见他们的智慧、聪明比通国的术士和用法术的胜过十倍。
但以理被赐予了一颗智慧和理解的心，就像所罗门王一样。智慧是运用知识，因为他们在皇宫里受过三年的训练。将我们所学的一切转化为实际应用，以祝福社会和国王，这需要智慧。神也使但以理明白异梦和异象。他能为国王解梦和解异象。这是神赐给但以理的属灵恩赐，让他在为尼布甲尼撒王服务的角色中发挥作用。作王的谋士是神在但以理生命中的呼召和目的。
神呼召我们做什么？神要我们把属灵的恩赐融入我们的工作中, 就像但以理解释异梦和异象一样。企业界对属灵领域越来越开放, 但往往向错误的来源寻求帮助, 比如风水、新时代、算命师和灵媒。那为什么我们没有足够的胆量在企业界运用这些恩赐：知识的恩赐，智慧的恩赐，分辨诸灵的恩赐，信心的恩赐，医治的恩赐，说预言的恩赐，说方言的恩赐，翻方言的恩赐呢？王发现但以理和他的朋友们比术士和占星家强十倍！
我们也有受膏的恩赐, 它并不局限于对经文的理解, 但它使我们能够根据神在我们生命中的呼召来运作。恩膏是圣灵在我们生命中的工作。这是神赋予我们的能力，使我们能担当呼召和生命的角色。
当我们行在神的呼召中，神就会赐下恩典给我们。恩典是一种内在的力量，它使我们坚韧不拔，并使我们能够做好工作，而不会在遇到困难时崩溃。使我们能够在四面受压时反弹。当我们为神的目的受膏时，属灵恩赐被赐给我们，使我们能熟练地侍奉祂。
恩膏是一种属灵的能力，它临到我们，从我们里面流出来。然而，这一事实是有限制的，即恩膏或恩膏的功能只能在神呼召我们去做的事情中。不幸的是，大多数人都是在我们想要做的领域工作，而不是在神呼召我们做的领域。所以我们若照神所呼召我们的去行，就是明智的，担子是轻省的，轭是容易的。
讲章系列:成为他荣耀的瓦器