BY JENNIFER VANDER KLIPP
“His master replied, ‘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!’ Matthew 25:23 (NIV)
Imagine winning the lottery or the Publishers’ Clearing House Sweepstakes and then putting the money under your mattress or burying it in the back yard thinking it’s the safest thing to do. You don’t want to waste it or make a mistake spending it, so you hide it. Most of us would agree this kind of thinking is ridiculous. Of course we would spend the money, either putting it to good use or just for our pleasure. What good does money do if it’s buried under three feet of dirt?
The verse above is near the end of the Parable of the Talents. This servant used the talents the master had given him to create more talents. In biblical times a talent was a measure of weight used for precious metals.
The spiritual gifts or “talents” God has given us are precious. Yet like a bar of gold sitting in a bank vault, they do no good unless they are used. Every believer has a spiritual gift or “talent.” Spiritual gifts are those given to a person after receiving Christ. Their purpose is to build up the body of Christ.
When it comes to our spiritual gifts many of us still have them buried in the backyard. We don’t think we’re good enough yet or we’re afraid of making a mistake. Yet we have to be faithful to use what He’s given us—the few things—before He will entrust us with greater responsibility.
Even though the servants received different talents, they both received the same reward. Many times we can look at others and see how God is using them. They seem to have so much more talent than we do. They have the “important” or visible gifts.
Yet God judges us on how we use what He has given us. And when we are faithful to use it, He will give us more. So start digging up your talents and dusting them off. If you don’t even know what they are, try serving in different areas until you find your fit. Remember, the servant didn’t get judged on how well he did, but on whether or not he used his talents. Are you using yours?
