Using What God Has Given Us

-February 4, 2022-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”

(Matthew 25:29).

Everything we have we have has been given to us by God, especially our spiritual gifts, talents, skills, and abilities. We have nothing to be proud about, but everything to be thankful for. The context of today’s verse is the Parable of the Talents. Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a wealthy man traveling to a far country. He chooses three men to entrust with his financial affairs in his absence. He gives five talents to the first, two to the second, and one to the third, each according to his ability. The master was then gone for a longtime.

Upon his return, the servant with the five talents made five more; the servant with the two talents made two more; but the third servant buried his one talent in the ground, bringing no return to the master. The master commended the first two for their faithfulness and made them rulers over many things. He condemned the third servant for being wicked and lazy. He could have at least deposited the money in the bank and made some interest on it.

The lesson for us is clear, use it or lose it. Jesus said, “To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance…” Our Lord is very wise in what He has given to us. He tests us by giving us little to see how we will handle it. If we use it faithfully, He will give us more and more. We are stewards of what He has given to us, not only of our money, but of our possessions, time, abilities, spouses, children, and grandchildren. Each of us has a great responsibility, and with it comes great accountability.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” Have you been faithful in using what God has given you to serve Him? None of us want to be like the servant who buried his talent in the ground. Jesus went on to say, “but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” The master took away that one talent from the third man and gave it to the one who had the ten talents.

God simply asks us to be faithful in using what we have for His glory. By His will, He gives us the skill, and by His strength, we can go the length. One day each of us will stand before the Lord Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We won’t be judged for our sins, for they were paid for at Calvary, but for our works and service for Him while we were on this earth. He will reward us with crowns, which we will cast at His feet. Those who were not faithful, will suffer loss but are still saved and in heaven. May the Lord find us faithful today. Nothing is more important than living for the Lord and serving Him. Use it, or lose it.

Have a blessed and faithful day in the service of our Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

In the service of the King,

Dean