Matthew 25:14 – 30. The story contained in these verses of the scripture is very unique and teaches a lot. One is that God knows each of our capabilities. And He has gifted us talents accordingly. He’s never a partial God. He’s not a man. God’s method of operation does not involve favoritism, nepotism, tribalism, or any form of bigotry. In Deut 32:4, we read, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
God’s ways are perfect. His distribution criteria are seamless. It cannot be matched or questioned. An understanding of this helps us know why he has given various talents to individuals and in different measures. He is God Almighty. The issue is not in the talents you’ve been blessed with but rather in what you’re doing with it.
What are the talents God has blessed you with? How are you using them? Do you know that there is a performance review/ report day? Gifts or talents comes in a different form. For many, it is as natural as singing, writing, acting, dancing, drawing, teaching, talking, etc others may be learned as skills such as cooking, driving, tailoring, etc
Talents are a notable capacity endowed upon us that comes with power, quality, or attribute. Each individual has one or more. The onus lies in you to know the specific talent you’ve been blessed with. It doesn’t end at knowing. You have to also discover the purpose to which God has deposited such talent(s) in you and lastly to realize that there’s a day to report on your use of it.
Have you felt very highly embarrassed before? You probably are a leader of a group and have been saddled with the responsibility of giving a report of the performance of your constituent. Unfortunately, in the review, your unit has experienced a constant decline and has not achieved even a quarter of her minimum expected output. You will feel so ashamed. You will be thoroughly bashed.
Have you found yourself in a situation where you are asked a question and you blanked out? And you wished you had done one/two necessities before then? Imagine you fall off a cliff because you didn’t listen to your instructor. Again, imagine that you suffer much pain with an electronic/electrical gadget because you didn’t go through the owner’s manual. My point: If you leave your talents lying fallow without being put to use or proper use, you will be condemned vehemently on the report day.
I’d love to address two categories of people in this article. The first category is people who are hiding their talents. Some persons have constantly stayed in the shadows – ‘dug holes’ and hid them. They have done like that wicked servant in that portion of scripture. They have hidden their talents – complaining about why they have been given only one talent. Others are saying this talent or that talent is not what’s right for them. Others are just extremely lazy about it and do nothing about their talents. Those are lame defenses. There’s a day of performance review. What will be your excuse for not putting your talents into use?
Hey, it’s more than using these talents. The second category: the people who have commenced using these talents without asking why? The purpose to which you’ve been given that voice is to bless others. “When the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable”. It simply is not enough to use your talents. Yes, it’s important to answer the question of proper use or the need to use it to serve its original purpose.
It’s important to know the reason for your existence. Why have you been created? What is the core of your living? What do you wake up and are excited to be living for? What gives you the most satisfaction? How important is your existence to humanity? How do you use your talents to serve purpose? In what do you derive your most joy and fulfillment? What role do you have to play in making the world a better place to live? These and many more are salient soul-searching questions that you need to give good and sincere answers to. Sense of purpose is knowing the role you have to play in the grand scheme of things.
Each one of us has a part to fulfill.
You know, God wants us as individuals to live purposefully and to use our talents to honor, serve Him and others. Imagine a typical assembly part – different areas of production being handled by specialists. As Christians, God needs you to be a specialist with your talent(s). The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
When we learn our purpose solidly and understand the roles we are to play, and combine our talents together with others, we will lighten up this dark world. In seeking purpose keenly, you’d discover God. You’d encounter the most righteous one – your maker and creator.
Don’t hide your talents anymore. Don’t use them without serving their right purposes any longer. A talent not serving its purpose is a wasted one. God today, is extending His loving hands, He’s saying, “let me assist you in living purposefully, in finding satisfaction and long-lasting fulfillment, in preparation for a good presentation on the report day”. Surrender your heart to Him today. Ask Him to dwell in your heart and to redirect you to purpose. He will do just that!👍
God bless you!
EGC ’21
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