Her voice echoed through the house, “Mom! I hear dripping under the sink!” At first glance, I didn’t notice the standing water, but as I began pulling things out, there lay a pool drenching everything underneath the sink. A load of towels later, the mess was clean but I couldn’t help but wonder how filling a few dozen water balloons caused the leak. Of course, Google has an answer for everything so I headed there for ideas. Apparently, as we filled the water balloons, pressure stopped the proper flow of water, leaking through the place of least resistance. The results – a nice sloppy mess.
Like the faucet, God has given each one us giftings to flow and pour out onto others. But when we use it to fill up other things, pressures mound, the flow of His life-giving water is stopped and messes occur.
As believers, our purpose is to know Him and make Him known. How you fulfill that depends on the specific gifts, talents, and callings God has appointed over your life.
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells a parable of a man who entrusts his property to his servants for a “long time”. From this short story, we learn four simple, yet substantial truths about our gifts.
1.) It’s All From Him and For Him
Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted His property to them. Matthew 25:14
Every gift, talent, and ability we have originated from Him and belongs to Him. They are entrusted to us for furthering His kingdom, not ours. They are given to us by Him to be strengthened through Him to bring others to Him. The most valuable and widely misused gift we have is time. Our talents, our time – all resources – are a gift from the Giver of Life intended to be fruitful and multiply. What we do with them communicates our value of them.
- For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. Romans 11:36
- All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines. 1 Corinthians 12:11
- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights… James 1:17
2.) Different Talents But Perfect For You
To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Matthew 25:15
God-given gifts are not exchangeable. The gifts and talents you have are perfectly chosen for you – not your spouse, a neighbor, or someone in your small group. He hasn’t given you more than you can handle or less than you can use. They are according to your abilities. How you use them is solely up to you. Two of the men in the parable invested in building His kingdom; one hid the talent given to him.
- For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29
- We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6
3.) Give And You Shall Receive
“You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Matthew 25:23
In the hands of a Good Father, our investments (time, talent, giftings) are doubled. The man with five talents gained five more; the man given two talents gained two more. But the man who hid his talent had even that which was given taken away. Whatever gift God has given you, He expects you to use. You are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you (Ephesians 2:10). Great investments don’t happen overnight, but rather a lifetime.
- And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
- “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
God multiplies whatever you give him. – Rick Warren
4.) Completed Work Brings Him Glory And Us Happiness
“Come and share in your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23
In John 14:17, Jesus said, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” When we do the work He assigns us here on earth, it brings the Father a happiness that we get to share in. For Jesus, His obedience brought life and rewards for all creation. While our calling isn’t nearly as grand, our obedience will require sacrifice. And as we sow the seed of obedience, great rewards for us and others will grow. You have a purpose in our life and our generation.
- David served his purpose in his generation. Act 13:36
- Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 15:16
The saying goes, “The sky is the limit,” but since our God created the sky, there are no limits to His plan and purpose for your life. And how beautiful are the feet of those who bring His good news (Romans 10:15)!
Press In
1.) What am I doing with the lifetime of resources He has given me?
2.) Where do I need to invest my resources (time, talent, abilities)?
3.) Am I frustrated by the lack of “return” I see?
4.) Do I see my giftings and talents as “less than” others’?
May I use my gifts the way God wants!
Amen, Sarah! May we all use them His way!
Hi Esther! Thank you for these words of wisdom today, “As believers, our purpose is to know Him and make Him known”. Yes, that is what I am striving for, to make Him known. The four truths of our calling are all excellent points and I appreciated reading them very much. May God bless you!
P.S. You have lovely artwork!
I needed to read these reminders today, Esther. Especially the part about finishing the work … thank you!
You share so much wisdom here. Every gift is from God and when we use our talents for His glory, sharing them with others, it also brings joy to us. Blessings to you! Thanks so much for linking up with us at the #LMMLinku.