Are you hiding your talent?

“But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.” Matthew 25:18 ESV

            Where do your talents lie? In what areas do you excel? Do others notice your gifts and talents? Have you been encouraged to use your talents more effectively? If you are like me, you know there are certain things you are good at, some things you are really good at, and then there is one talent or gift that surpasses all expectations. And if you’re like me, my friends and family know that the gift and talent is from the Lord, it’s certainly not me. Believe me there are many more things I am not good at than what I am good at. But what I am good at, the Lord expects it to be used for His Glory and His Kingdom and that is the standard for all Christians.

            In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the “Parable of the Talents” (Matt. 25:14-30) concerning the coming of the kingdom. In the parable, a man going on a journey entrusts to each of his three servants’ talents (money) to be used and invested until he returns. Each one is given according to his ability as to what he is capable of handling. One receives five talents, one receives two, and another received one. The Bible says the one who received five talents immediately went out and did business with them doubling the investment. Likewise the one who had two did the same. But the third one did nothing with his talent actually burying it in the ground for safe keeping, so he thought. Upon returning, the man was well pleased with the first two servants. They faithfully used the talents given to them by their master. Not so with the third, he was not pleased at all, in fact he called him wicked and lazy. The servant hid the talent his master gave him. There wasn’t anything to show for it.

            Wherever your talents lie, are you using them for the Lord? Are you using them to advance the gospel? Are others in your community being helped by them? Is your workplace benefitting by your use of them? Have you had opportunity to use them in your social and recreation time with friends and family? Are you using your talents for the Lord or are you hiding them?

Read Matthew 25:14-30, The Parable of the Talents: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A14-30&version=ESV