Use Your Gift

Matthew 25:15-29 (15) "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."

(16) "Then he that had received the five talents went and traded the same, and made them other five talents."

(17) "And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two."

(18) "But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money."

(19) "After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them."

(20) "And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more."

(21) "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

(22) "He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them."

(23) "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

(24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:"

(25) "And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

(26) "His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:"

(27) "Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury."

(28) "Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents."

(29) "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."

Jesus gives us a parable here. My husband describes a parable as simply an earthly story or example of a heavenly truth. Jesus is trying to show us something in the parables he gives. Here there are three things that I got out of this parable.

First...Jesus speaks of ABILITY. As a Christian it is not what we can't do that is important. It is what we can do. Maybe you can't sing or give in the same way that someone else can. But every Christina has been given the ability to do something. If you aren't sure what it is that God has gifted you with the ability to do...pray and ask Him to show you what it is He wants you to do. He has given you something that you can use for Him. Once He reveals that gift to you then begin to use it for Him.

Second...Jesus speaks of AVAILABILITY. Two of the servants made themselves available with their talents. The amount of the difference between their talents did not matter. What was important was they used what they had and then what they received back was multiplied. It is important to use the gift we've been given and opportunities to do more will follow afterward.

An example of this is my son Ronnie began his piano playing at the age of around 10 or 11 years of age. He began playing around on a small children's keyboard. The more he continued to learn to play songs for the Lord the more the Lord developed that talent. Now he is our pianist in our church. Now the Lord is doing the same for my daughter Kristina. She began playing on her own and was able to learn a few hymns to play. Now she is taking lessons and she is excelling greatly and each week continues to amaze her piano teacher. God has taken that talent she has and is giving her so much more because she is using it for Him. Both of my children have made their gift available.

Thirdly....we find ACCOUNTABILITY in this verse. God will hold us accountable for why we do or do not use our gifts and how we use them. God wants to use His servants and He has provided the means for us to use them. Don't hide your talent...use it and be faithful to using it and no doubt you'll hear "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21) If you know what your talent is and you hide it or sit on it and don't use it for the Lord then you are in danger of God taking that talent from you or not giving you opportunity to use it. God desires to honor and glorify Himself through your life which is why He gave you that talent in the first place. To have God's richest blessings on your life you must use that talent for Him. If you don't.....He can take it away. He holds each of His children accountable for what they do and why they do what they do for Him or in His name.