In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-28), a master gives his servants different amounts of money to invest, according to their ability. When he returns, he finds one man has buried his money and two have invested it wisely.
This parable encourages us to make wise and effective use of the gifts and resources God gives each of us.
As a writer I need to:
1. Pray about my gift.
2. Use it: write!
3. Develop it: edit, rewrite, learn new skills, get constructive criticism.
4. Invest it: explore new ways to use it for the Lord.
The same is true for any ability or skill we have.
In Matthew 25, the man who hid his money in the ground didn’t understand the purpose, character and love of the master.
If you aren’t praying about your gifts, using, developing, and investing them, don’t feel guilty. Guilt isn’t a good motivator. Instead, ask for a deeper understanding of the purpose, character and love of your Master and Gift-giver.
Scripture passages that apply to our gifts:
Romans 12:6-8: We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Colossians 3:17: whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
This parable has been on my mind a lot lately, mostly in terms of finances, but thank you for sharing this - I'd never fully thought about it in such definite terms regarding my gift. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Lois
www.livenourished.net
Thank you for this great blog! I love it you create the link to write :-)
ReplyDeleteGail, thanks for visiting my blog from the UBP. I've enjoyed looking around your site. Lots of good information as well as inspiring and well-written devotions. I look forward to reading more. Have a blessed week ahead.
ReplyDeleteGreat devotional - glad I found your blog. Thanks for visiting me and I may come back and link up!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you remind us to pray, because we can certainly trust the God who GAVE us the gifts to show us how He wants us to use them!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up to "Making Your Home Sing Monday" linky party today! :)
#4 Strikes me as something I need to do! Oh that we might writing, not for us, but as a way to use what He has given, for His glory! Thanks for reminding me of that! UNITED in Him, Jen
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to let the days just slip by - thanks for the reminder to make our gifts count!
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about my writing as a way to "Invest." It is good to expand our base, reaching more with God's grace and joy.
ReplyDeleteJoyfully,
Pamela
Great tips for using our gifts! Getting closer to God will give us the courage we need to use the gifts He gave us fully!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
I have read this passage many times but missed the part about servants response according to their understanding of Master's purpose, character & love. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was helpful, Rickey.
DeleteGod bless you.
Gail
Thanks, Virginia, for the encouragement. I took a look at your site and it's lovely. May God bless you as you use it for His purposes.
ReplyDeleteGail
a very powerful lesson about sharing our talents! thank you for sharing it, Gail!
ReplyDeleteI have written and surprise myself when I find it few years later. I feel like...I wrote that?... It is always Christ centered. He has motivated me in past. I need this reminder Gail. I have been losing my motivation. God Bless you.
ReplyDeleteI've always struggled with this parable, I guess maybe because there's no obvious wrong in it. The money wasn't stolen, used for ill gain on to fund sin. But I never put it in the context of not using my spiritual gifts before either.
ReplyDeleteI get so much out of these 1 minute "love notes"/devotions, Your perspective on this one and so many others have been a huge benefit for me. Thank you for your dedication and Godly insights Gail!
That really blesses me to hear that I helped you understand this passage. I think the worst sin of the man who hid his money is that he didn't trust his master....he thought bad things about his master when his master was actually wanting good things for him and for others. And I think that reflects people who distrust God's purposes and don't realize God's goodness.
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