You’ve Got TalentSample

God expects us to put our talents to work

The master leaves for his trip and the first servant with the five talents goes off in a flash, puts his money to work and gains five more talents. Here’s the thing: servant one doesn’t think to himself, “I’m not lifting a finger because no one else is even going to come close to earning my share of the wealth.” Servant one is not entitled. He is not boastful. He is not self-satisfied. He understands his role and fulfils his calling.

Now let’s talk about the second servant with the two talents.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often glossed over servant two. He is the quintessential forgettable middle guy. Servant two is your “Average Joe.”

Now, Average Joe could’ve moped or fallen into the comparison trap. He could have thought he got a somewhat raw deal. 

But you know what the second servant did with his two talents? He did exactly what the five-talent first servant did. He immediately put his money to work and doubled it.

Servant two shows us that we are called to run the race marked out for us, not the rat race. Not the race that others say we should run. Not the race that everyone else is running, but the race that God has set before us. And while we run, we fix our gaze on Jesus. 

Colossians 3:23 NIV says: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

Even if we are given what others might think is an “average” deal in life, we are called to work with excellence and for the glory of God. Friends, let’s remember that we are not called to be successful, but to serve God with complete obedience.

Now let’s see what servant three is up to. He decides to take his one talent and simply bury it. We’ll talk more about him in a day or two. But the truth we need to dwell on, our third E of the Bible Plan, is that God EXPECTS us to put our time, talents and treasures to work for His glory. 

Scripture says His eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. God is looking to see if your heart and mine are completely devoted to serving Him.

Bring it Home

What do we do with the gifts, talents, and resources that God has given us? Do we put them to work, thinking how we can please God with those talents? Or do we leave them buried in a dark hole of insecurity and fear, like the third servant? 

Lean In

Heavenly Father, Help me understand my role as a steward of the gifts You’ve given me. May I never be entitled or boastful. May I never play the comparison game or fall into negative thinking. May I never bury my talent out of fear or insecurity or selfishness. Thank You for showing me that You expect me to use my gifts for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen