Parable of talents Matt 25:14-31 NIV
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,aeach according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.
So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “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!’
“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ “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!’ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. “
‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
1. You have a gift from God
Every Christian has a gift from God and these gifts are unequally distributed. Dele can have the gift of prophecy,deliverance and healing while his twin brother Chike can have the gift of singing. Esther can have the gift of evangelism and composing songs while her best friend Dinma can be good at interpreting dreams. No matter how big or small you are you have a gift. Your position and career can also be God’s gift to you and you have the responsibility of using the gift/career for the Glory of the God. Been a doctor can be God’s gift to you and you have the responsibility of giving the hope of Christ to your patients in despair.
Been a lawyer can be yours and you have the responsibility of fighting for justice. Same with the actors, musicians, lecturers, graphic artists, writers, policemen, instrumentalists, and the list is endless. Even if you are great at swepping and cleaning, use that gift to work for God. Been alive alone is a gift. Your youth and health is also a gift. Ask yourself now, what is my gift and how can I use it to win souls for God.
2. Don’t be jealous over your neighbour’s gift.
God will only give you what you can handle.
Vs 15 says and He gave each according to his ability. God gave you your gift because in His wisdom he knows you can handle it. So, why get jealous over another’s. Can you handle the cross that comes with his gift? Can you withstand the challenges he faced while growing his gift? Don’t be envious of another’s gift rather praise God for yours and for others too and work towards using yours for His kingdom. Remember, the spirit of envy comes from the enemy, repent of every envious thought you have ever had towards others and pray for the Grace not to do it again.
3. How you use your gift can affect your journey in life.
You have been praying for a promotion at work or more clients and when it does not happen as you wish you say, there is no God, if he exists he hates me. But, the message from God to you today is, how did you work for him with what you had.
Vs 23 says “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. The more you labour for God, the higher your elevation according to His wish. Repent from lukewarmness and pray for the anointing to work for him.
4. You will give an account one day.
Always remember that the day is coming when you will stand before His throne and give an account of how you used your gift.
John 15:2 says, He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Refuse to be he that bears no fruit today. The best time to make that decision is now. Pray to God for the strength to work for him and he will answer you.
Share other lessons you learnt from this parable.
