Day 11 - Using our Talents - More or Jesus Devotional

Using our talents.

Rachel Hanson

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21, 23).

              In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:24-30) you can read “talent” as a monetary unit and you can read it as “gift” or “ability.” Either way, the story teaches that if we put the talents God has given us to work, they multiply. When we are faithful, God entrusts us with more. The man who buries his single talent misses the point. He misses the point that God doesn’t want us to hold on to it, doesn’t need us to keep it safe for Him. God desires that we bless each other by giving more of ourselves. When we do, He will replenish us -- with time, with strength, with money; with whatever it is we willingly give for His sake. The man with one talent admits, “I was afraid . . . Look, there you have what is yours” (25:25). I imagine him tossing the talent back saying, “Here you go. I didn’t make a difference.” But God doesn’t want back what He gave us. He wants people who will use the talents for His Kingdom.

            
The parable reminds me of a song: “Love is like a magic penny, hold on tight and you won’t have any, lend it and spend it and you’ll have so many, they’ll roll all over the floor. . . Love is something if you give it away . . . you’ll end up having more,” (Malvina Reynolds). With God’s economy, you can insert all your variations of “talent” in place of “love.”

            Here’s the real ah-ha for me. God gives us talents which can make life easier. When we share them, we multiply His work. We bless others and, in return, He blesses us. That’s amazing! But what is this really about? It’s about our relationship with Him. God desires us to celebrate with Him, inviting the faithful to “Enter the joy of your Lord.”

Questions:

When have you shared a talent and then experienced its growth and multiplication?

What can you give more of to more fully enter the joy of the Lord?