You’ve Got Talent!

Posted by:clifford

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The Oxford dictionary describes the word talent as “a natural aptitude or skill”. Another meaning is “a special natural ability or aptitude”.  Many people think, they have no talents, while they are quick to spot the talents in others.  Some feel they are incompetent.  Is it really so???
 
Let us see what the Word of God has to say about talents or gifts.

1. Everyone has some or the other gift or talent and it varies from person to person: I Pet. 4:10 says “As each one has received a gift, ……[NKJV].  It clearly uses the term “As each one‘’ and not “as few or many’’.  In the parable of the talents (Mat 25: 14-30), we see that the master gave talents to each one of the servants. “And to one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one, to each according to his own ability”. (Mat 25:15). It is important to note that each one has been given talents according to their own ability.  We all are unique and our God and maker is aware of our strengths and weaknesses.  He has given each of us, some or the other gifts.  All are not singers, musicians or preachers.  However, all have some or the other talent and we need to identify it.​

2. It doesn’t matter how many talents we have, but what matters is, what have we done with those talents: In the parable we see that the first servant was given 5 talents, the second was given 2, while the third was given 1. The first servant came back with 10 and the second with 4, however both were commended with the same words “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Mat. 25:21-23) So, we see it doesn’t matter how many talents we have, but what matters is, have we been faithful in using those talents? Someone rightly said, “the talents we have is a gift to us from God and what we do with them, is our gift back to Him.”

3. Our talents and gifts are not for our own merit, but they are for the benefit of others and the glory of God. I Pet. 4:10 says, the gift we have received we should minister it to one another. It is not necessary that your gift will be something seen by the world. Not all will be on-stage, but it is the support of many behind the scene that helps someone to be successful on stage. It doesn’t matter whether your talent brings you to the limelight or keeps you confined to your home. All that God is looking for is “good and faithful servants”, so that the Father who sees in secret, will reward us openly (Mat. 6:6). May our intention always be to bring glory to our Lord and creator.

 
Using one’s God given abilities wisely and productively is an important part of discipleship. In receiving these gifts we have several choices. We can set them aside in disappointment and pursue something that looks better in our own eyes, we can develop them for personal gain, or we can cultivate and practice them as our own gifts back to God. Eventually, faithfulness will be rewarded with more opportunities to serve God.