Talents

TALENTS ARE GIFTS FROM GOD God made each of us for a special purpose. In His wisdom, He gave special abilities or talents to us so that His plan for our lives could be fulfilled and His work carried out. Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matt 25:14 -29 illustrates some lessons concerning the use of our God-given abilities or talents. A. God Gives Talent to Everyone ‘To one he gave five talents….to each according to his ability………Mt 25:15). We may have heard someone say he has no talent or that he cannot do anything well. This is contrary to Bible teaching and displeasing to God for God has given everyone at least one talent. God expects us to receive His gifts with thanksgiving. (I Tim 4:4) Our talents are not to be despised because we want someone else’s gift. God in His wisdom gave to each according to his ability. God does not ask our faithfulness in using talents we do not possess but He does require faithfulness of the talents He has given us. B. God does not Give All the same Number or Kind of Talents Notice that each servant in the parable was given a different number of talents; one receives five talents, another two and the third had one talent. (I Cor 12:4). An example of different talent can be found in the work of Aaron and Moses. God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Although Moses had the gift of leadership, he did not have a talent for speaking. God used Aaron’s talent for speech to aid Moses in His leadership role. Some of us have a talent for teaching, some for singing and some for helping others. If Christians use their varied talents and work together as Aaron and Moses did, God’s work will be accomplished. (ICor12:4-11, 27 -30) C. God Expects us to be Good Stewards of our Talents Why did God give us these talents? The answer is found in I Peter 4:10. Our abilities are to be used in service to God and man. (Acts 9:36) Let us take stocks of talents God has given us. Are we being good stewards of them? D. The Bible Warns against Neglecting or Misusing Talents I Tim4:14 The unfaithful servant had his talent taken from him (Matt 25:28) not because it was small, but because he neglected to use it. Let us take note that unused abilities will deteriorate. Neglected opportunities of service will be lost with the passing of time. Some do not neglect to use their abilities but they use them for wrong purposes. Such was the case of a young man with great musical ability who played an instrument in a dance band. His gift was not used for god’s glory. In Col 3:17, we find these instructions. As stewards, we need to be aware that our unused talents or talents used selfishly may be lost. If so, we will be condemned for unfaithfulness just as the servant with one talent. E. Talent Used for God’s Work are Multiplied The servants in the parable who used their talents had them doubled. Their faithfulness was rewarded. Five talents became ten and two talents increased to four. We, too, can look forward to reward promised to faithfulness. Matt 25:23. We can compare the use and multiplying of our abilities to a typist who practices her skill regularly and find typing speed increasing and mistakes decreasing. A good steward will not only find his efficiency, skills and abilities increasing but will also be rewarded with more and greater opportunities: for he who uses abilities to serve God will develop them and likely discover dormant abilities.(Lk 19:26). Each of us needs to consider the following questions: What are my talents? What can I do well, or what useful things do I enjoy doing? Am I using or neglecting my talents? Am I fulfilling God’s purpose for my life with the talents He has entrusted to me?