Are You Using Your Talents and Abilities?

It’s amazing to me how each and everyone of us has some talent or ability that we are really good at and that can be used to the glory of God. I am reminded of the The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-28) in which 3 servants were given 5 talents, 2 talents and 1 talent respectively. In those days talents were equivalent to money, however, nowadays when someone speaks of talents, we think of the A+ student in class, famous actors and athletes or even the so called gurus of web design/development.

As the parable states, the first two men used their talents and gained double what they had started out with. The third, however, buried it in the ground and thus his master was very displeased with him. He was called “wicked” and “lazy”. Sounds kind of harsh doesn’t it? But what can we learn from this story? We can learn that God has given us each different talents and abilities that he expects us to put to good use. We shouldn’t hide these talents and bury them in the sand as the third servant did but instead we should use our talents and abilities for the glory of God.

It’s also important to note that we are all in this together. Just as each part of our body contributes to the whole, so too does the talents and abilities of each of us contribute to the well-being of each other, the world as we know it and the kingdom of God.

Here are a few verses from the Bible on Talents and Abilities.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Since we are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.1 Corinthians 14:12

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11

Lord, I thank you for the talents you have given each and everyone of us. Help us Lord, not to bury it in the ground as the third servant did, but instead let us follow the example of the first two servants and use our talents to bring glory and honour to your name and build up your kingdom. Help us to be humble and realise that we all need each other. Remind us that the talents we each have can be beneficial to others in some way. Lord, once again we thank you and we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Published: 29 May 2007
Written by Yannick
God's Porch