Articles
How Are You Using Your Talents?
“To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.” (Matt 25:15)
In Matthew 25:14-30, we read the story of the talents. To paraphrase, a businessman was traveling from home and entrusted three of his servants with talents, or a large sum of money. Their charge was simple: use the talents to earn more for the master. This parable teaches us some very important truths about our relationship with God.
In the parable, the master gave each man according to his ability (vs 15). To those he gave more, he expected more in return. And as each servant used what he was entrusted with, the master gave him more (vs 21). We know the story. The man with 5 talents doubled what he had and the man with 2 talents did likewise. Both received equal praise and reward.
But the man with one talent didn’t do anything with it. Observe, “He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’” (vs 24-25). Had the servant been trustworthy in his stewardship and earned but one more talent, he would have received the same reward and praise as the others. Instead, he received harsh condemnation from his master. (vs 26-30)
There is a spiritual message in this parable for us. God, our Master, has entrusted us with blessings, abilities and possessions. He has given to each of us as He has pleased according to His sovereignty. To some He has given more, and to others He has given less. He is not concerned with the amount you produce for Him, but whether you are using what you have received from Him for His glory.
Barnabas, who was called Son of Encouragement, was praised for using his great wealth for God’s purpose (Acts 4:36-37). Likewise, Tabitha, a widow, was praised for making clothing for others (Acts 9:36-42). What about you? What abilities, possessions or blessings has God entrusted to you that you are using for Him? Are you diligently seeking ways to serve the Lord with what you have, or are you burying His gifts and satisfied to give back only what He has entrusted to you?
I encourage each of you to prayerfully look for ways you can use the talents that God has entrusted to you for His glory. It may be as big as a $50,000 check to cover someone’s health needs or as small as a cup of cold water in His name given.
To this end, we will include in this publication monthly ideas on things we can do to use our talents. Look for Using Our Talents at the bottom of page 1, beginning today.
May we all work for the goal of hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (vs 23)
