1.

If you hide the gift God’s given,
Then by unbelief you’re driven.
None but you can give expression
Through the gift in your possession.

2.

What God gives you—don’t despise it.
As God’s precious love-gift prize it.
He cares not who you’re impressing,
But if you have been a blessing.

3.

Fear of man must not be guiding.
Don’t draw back, your talent hiding.
At the judgment your pretenses
Are not valid as defenses.

4.

What one does not use one loses;
This the heav’nly zeal diffuses.
So make sure that nothing smothers
What would warm and bless the others.

5.

For when others you’re denying,
Blessing you could be supplying.
You deprive those who need warming,
When around them it is storming.

Written by Anna Bjerkeli (published in 1932)Composed by Ester SkogsrudText and melody © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ D