Blog

Believe You Me 26

By: Steve Negley

Posted: October 22, 2018

Category: Daily Devotional

Looking Back Over Jesus’ Life

My faith has been formed by the words of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus gives us three stories which help us to focus on life in the Kingdom of God.

The second is found in

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so, I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return, I would have received what was my own with interest. So, take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30

This story told by Jesus may be one of the main reasons we call our God-given gifts talents. And the story is pretty clear on what God’s people are to do with their talents — USE THEM.

Everyone has a talent. It may be an incredible brain, an amazing athletic ability, the skill to sew or cook, or just that wonderful smile that adorns your face. God has given each one of us something special. Do we want to hide or bury our talent? No. We should use it.

Prayer

God, help me to claim that special talent that You have given me. And help me to share my talent today in a way that will make someone else a little happier. Amen.