Gifts From God Are To be Used

"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?"  - Benjamin Franklin

There's a popular program on television here in the U.S. called America's Got Talent.  Basically, it's a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of one million dollars; and a chance to headline a show on the Las Vegas Strip.

One of the things that makes it a huge success is that it provides an opportunity for talented amateurs or unknown performers to showcase their talents. Their fate is then decided by an audience vote. It's fun, fluffy entertainment, typical of similarly formatted shows on television these days.

However, there's an obvious problem with this scenario. There can only be one main winner. Everyone else who falls short must go home. The only true beneficiary of this competition is the person(s) who win it all. Some might say that is just the way it goes. Or, it is what it is. But I ask, "Is it really?"

God has blessed each and every one of us with gifts of one kind or another. Some may be generously blessed over and above, while others with only the bare minimum. Either way, we have all been given gifts, or talents. My question to you is this: "How have you used your gifts, or talents?"

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) speaks loudly to us about using what we have been given to the best of our abilities. Everything we have comes from God; and belongs to Him. We alone are responsible for using our gifts/talents so that they increase in value.

From the creation of mankind we have been blessed with resources of time. material, and wealth. As mentioned earlier, these things (gifts) have been doled out to us in varying degrees. Even so, each of us are to use what we've been given to the maximum. We are to use what we have been given for God's purposes. Severe consequences loom ahead for those who squander, or waste their gifts.

You might ask, "Why weren't we all given the same talents?" That's not such a difficult question to answer. It is so because of God's sovereignty. Without going off into another discussion, let me address this briefly. Because of His sovereignty, God has the right to grant positions, gifts, talents, and wealth as He sees fit.

Through His creation we can marvel at the beauty of all of the diversity. It is His to do with as He desires. This includes the measure of talents or gifts that we are given. It has nothing to do with who, or what we are; what we've done; or where we come from, as much as what we do with what we are entrusted with.

Like the wealthy man who entrusted his wealth to his servants in his absence, one day we will have to answer to the Lord, "How have you used your gifts, or talents?" What will your response to Him be? At that point in time, there will be no turning back, no do-overs, no timeouts. Your eternity hangs in the balance.

In closing today's message, I leave you with this quote from S.D. Gordon: "We have nothing to do with how much ability we've got, or how little, but with what we do with what we have. The man with great talent is apt to be puffed up, and the man with little (talent) to belittle the little. Poor fools! God gives it, much or little. Our part is to be faithful, doing the level best with every bit and scrap. And we will be if Jesus' spirit controls."

Scripture: Romans 12:6; James 1:17; 1 Peter 4:10; Exodus 31:3-5; Ephesians 5:15-17

Prayer: Dear Lord, You have blessed me with gifts which can benefit others. I pray that by Your wisdom, guidance, and mercy that I will use them to the fullest; and may I never waste an opportunity to use them. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Joy