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Scripture Reading: Matthew 25

I was reading the Parable of the Talents one day when my life took a radical turn.  The parable is a story in Matthew chapter 25 where Jesus tells about a man who gave three of his servants varying amounts of talents―a unit of money that was worth more than $1,000.

You’re probably familiar with the story:  the man gave the first servant five talents, the second servant two talents, and the third servant one talent.  Then the man went on a journey.

Quite awhile later, the man came back to see what each servant had done with his talents.  Two of the servants had put their talents to use, making a good return on the man’s investment.  Each was rewarded by their master with these words:

“ ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”  

But the third servant had buried his talent and was rebuked as wicked and lazy.  Even what he had was taken away from him, and he was thrown out into the darkness.

Of course, after reading the story, I wanted to be like the first two servants, not like the third.

Wondering how I was doing with the “talents” God had given me, I began to write a question in my journal.  “Lord, am I using the gifts you’ve given me?”  I was surprised when the answer I heard back was a clear and simple, “No.”

Wow! I thought I was doing pretty good!  I was working hard at my job, involved in some Bible studies at church, and so on.  But I knew that if this really was God speaking to me, I wanted to listen up.  I didn’t want to be like the wicked, lazy servant in the story who didn’t put his talents to use.

“Lord, what do you want me to do?”  I wrote.

I felt God answered:  “I told them to make a return on what I gave them.”

So I began to list out a few of my talents, asking God how I could make better use of them for Him.  One week later, I quit my secular job and went into full-time ministry.

Jesus told two other parables in Matthew chapter 25, both of which talk about preparing for Christ’s return.  Jesus doesn’t want us to be surprised when that day comes.  He doesn’t want us to fall asleep waiting for His return.  He doesn’t want us to bury our talents in the ground.  He doesn’t want us to neglect the needs of those around us.

He wants us to put our gifts to use to the fullest, to be ready when He comes back.

It doesn’t mean we all need to be in “full-time ministry.”  But it does mean that we’re to use the gifts He’s given us to work towards His purposes on the earth.  Whether it’s giving food to the hungry, drinks to the thirsty, or clothes to the naked.  Whether it’s looking after those who are sick, visiting those who are in prison, or caring for our children or parents.  Whether it’s cooking or sewing, teaching or preaching, singing or praying.

When Jesus comes back, He wants us to be prepared for His return.  Not because He wants us to work our way into heaven.  But because He wants us to make a good return on His investment.  He’s given us all kinds of gifts, and He wants us to use them to the fullest, to accomplish all that He has created us to do.

Take inventory of some of the gifts God has given you.  Ask Him how you can use those gifts for Him.  Let’s pray that one day we’ll all hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Prayer: Father, help me to make a good return on the gifts You’ve given me, for my sake, for Yours, and for those who will be touched as a result.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.