Putting Your Talents To Good Use by Pastor Mike
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise, he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his Lord’s money. After a long time, the Lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “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.’ 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.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his Lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So, you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30, NKJV.
The kingdom of God is business-oriented. The above passage of the Scripture makes it abundantly clear. God has made serious, heavy investments in man. And rightfully deserves a good return.
The parable of the Talents illustrates how our heavenly Father made provisions for us all. It also demonstrates the seriousness the Lord attaches to His business. During His earthly ministry, Jesus from a young age showed us how the kingdom affairs should be handled:
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2:49 NKJV.
Now, we have to know that no Child of God is without endowment. We all have received gifts that will enable us to be profitable to the Kingdom of God:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
I Corinthians 12:7 NKJV.
However, some belittle the grace of God in their life. And even think the Lord has not done anything for them. Just like the man who went and hid his one talent. Some neglect their gift, allowing it to be dormant. Greatly hindering the will of God for them.
We can’t be like the lazy servant, who failed to see his great potential. Despising the days of little beginning. Not recognizing that grace is given to us according to the gift of God we have received:
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Ephesians 4:7 NKJV.
Perhaps you are feeling you have nothing to offer? Do you assume that what you have is insignificant? Are you envying others instead of developing your gifts?
Then, take a cue from the servants that were able to put their talents to good use.
They diligently did business according to their capacity. And the Lord blessed their efforts in a hundred folds.
Though this parable speaks of talent or money, it is rich with timeless principles and insights. Some of them are outlined below:
1. God, the Maker, and Creator, is ultimately the Source of all life and all things. He has granted each person a defined number of years and time on earth. Your life on earth is a gift from God. And He expects you to be fruitful on earth, and this brings glory to Him.
2. Everyone is endowed with unique wiring that enables us to naturally perform certain tasks with ease. And this adds value and supplies the needs of others:
But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.
1 Corinthians 12:11 GNTD.
3. As you use these gifts or talents or even acquire skills based on your desires, you improve in performance. What was initially difficult will gradually become much easier, and thus greater productivity is achieved.
4. Your brain capacity is enhanced. As you get stretched, new areas of your brain are developed to handle different tasks you may not even know you were designed to do.
5. Not cultivating your God-given time or gifts robs those who would have benefited from your input. You live a wasteful life of just being a consumer who failed to enrich others in the community. The ultimate Investor, God, is robbed of all His rich and invaluable investments in your life
This is a faithless existence and God is not honored.
6. Do not compare yourself with others. No two people are exactly the same. Even identical twins have something that differentiates them. Lean on God for wisdom and strength, regardless of your lot in life. The battle is not for the strong or the swift. Be content and grateful to God in all things. As you cultivate your time and gifts wisely and diligently, you grow stronger and with time extend to newer grounds.
7. Avoid the temptation of judging God. He is Sovereign and does not owe anyone an explanation for your background or supposed humble beginnings. He is all-wise and apportions to everyone as He pleases.
8. If we use the gift we have received from the Lord, God multiples it. But if we don’t, it stays dormant and a time will come it will seem as if it’s no longer there.
9. The talent we received is like a seed. So, we shouldn’t mind the initial size. Some seeds are so tiny but when cultivated, it yield something huge:
Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32 NLT.
10. Our heavenly Father is so productive; hence He also wants us His children to be like Him. He created the whole world in six days and only rested on the seventh day.
That’s why He frowns at His children being unproductive.
How do you assess your life? Have you asked yourself this thought-provoking question: Why I’m I here on earth?
Unfortunately, many Children of God are so, unfruitful. Resulting in them living a beggarly life.
Clearly, this is not the will of God. For He wants us to prosper:
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
III John 1:2 NKJV.
Ultimately, what the Lord is after is that we put to use His gift in our life, and He will enable us to make a profit. For in the Kingdom of God, there is no room for slothfulness:
not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Romans 12:11 KJV.
Moving forward, there is still an opportunity to utilize the gift of God in our life before it becomes too late. For the Lord has set a date to settle accounts. And there will be a great punishment for non-performance and neglect of God’s endowment in our life.
Why don’t we go to the Lord in prayers right now? And earnestly, ask for wisdom on how to manage the resources He has deposited in our life:
Father, I thank you so much for your endowment in my life.
I’m so happy that you equipped me with all that I need to be successful.
Dear Lord, forgive my ignorance and underutilization of your gifts in my life. May your wisdom guide me to start making proper use of them.
Cause me to reach my full potential and become as productive as you will love me to be.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pst. Mike