“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.” (Matthew 25:14-15)
Every ability we are given comes with the expectation that it will be used when an opportunity presents itself. In His parable in Matthew 25, Jesus explains that the servant who received five bags of gold put his money to work and multiplied it. The second servant who was given two bags of gold did the same. The third servant, who was given one bag, dug a hole and buried his bag in the ground.
This part of the story makes it very clear that when it comes to your God- given talents, you are either doing something for God, or you are doing nothing for God. The Lord doesn’t expect the same result from every one of His children, but He does expect the same effort. God never compares you with anyone else. He compares you with you. He wants to see that you’re being faithful to use what you’ve been given when you have the chance.
Jesus wraps up the parable by describing the master’s response to each servant when he returns from his journey. When he sees the results from the first two men, he calls them “good and faithful” and rewards them. But when he sees what the third servant did, he calls him wicked and lazy.
How would you feel if you went to a bank, opened up a savings account and put $1000 in the bank, and ten years later you came back and there was still only $1000 in your account? Well, how do you think God feels when He gives you talents and abilities for you to use for His glory, and you fail to use them and invest them?
As a follower of Jesus, the best compliment you could ever receive is to one day hear your Master say to you, “Well done good and faithful servant.” If that’s something you want the Lord to say to you, you must make a point now to be faithful with the gifts, talents, and abilities He has given you. Don’t worry about what He’s given everyone else or what everyone else is accomplishing. Just be faithful with what you have. That’s all your Heavenly Father expects of you.
Dear Lord, thank you for the unique gifts and talents you’ve given me. Help me not to compare my gifts to others, but instead help me to be faithful with what I have. Amen.
Topics: Faithfulness
